Suns vs Lakers Game 1 NBA Playoff Betting

With both the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers coming off series sweeps, something will have to give when they meet up for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals Monday night. So who should you take in your NBA Playoffs bet? It’s time to investigate.

NBA Playoffs: Western Conference Finals Game 1
No. 3 Phoenix Suns (4-0 SU vs. San Antonio Spurs, 4-0 ATS) at No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers (4-0 vs. Utah Jazz, 3-1 ATS)

Monday, May 17: 9:00 p.m. TNT

NBA Betting Odds: Los Angeles -6 ½, Total Points -210 ½ 

Let’s start with the defending NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers. Because after struggling in the early part of these playoffs, the Lakers are on a roll, as they swept through the Utah Jazz in the second round.

The biggest difference in their play has simply been the re-emergence of their biggest star, Kobe Bryant. Bryant is one of the elite players in NBA history, but hardly looked elite against Oklahoma City in Round 1, as in two of their six games, he was held under 15 points. However, in Round 2, Kobe looked like Kobe, as he averaged 32 points while shooting over 50 percent from the field in four straight victories over the Jazz.

Obviously however, to have a series sweep you can’t rely on one player alone, and the Lakers certainly did not, as they got contributions from across the board. No player besides Bryant has been better than center Pau Gasol, who is averaging 20 points in these playoffs. He even had a postseason high 33 to close out Utah in Game 4 of their series a week ago. Lamar Odom is averaging eight points and eight rebounds off the bench.

As for the Phoenix Suns, few expected them to beat San Antonio in the second round, and even fewer thought they’d do it in the fashion they did.

But as you get set to make your Monday night NBA bet, be warned, these guys are for real. Leading the way of course is none other than two-time MVP Steve Nash. Even at the age of 36, Nash is still the player of a few years ago, as he has yet to slow down in these playoffs, averaging 17 points and nine assists in this game. Power forward Amare Stoudemire hasn’t been too shabby himself, scoring 20 points and grabbing seven rebounds a contest too.

So as we get to tip-off Game 1, who should be your NBA Playoffs bet? The smart pick here is Phoenix.

Now just because Phoenix should be your pick doesn’t mean that we’re expecting them to win. Simply that with both teams coming into this game a bit rusty, 6 ½ points is a lot to be getting. Remember too that two of Los Angeles’ key players have been limited recently by injured knee’s, Bryant and Andrew Bynum. While we’d never question whether Bryant will be ready to go, you can’t say the same about Bynum. He’s got a history of knee injuries, and reports Monday morning were that his is actually getting worse, and not better.

Therefore the Suns are your play here. They come into this one fresh after a few days off, and without any pressure in the world.

Make them your Monday night NBA Playoffs basketball bet.

Aaron’s Pick: Phoenix +6 ½