Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix Suns: Game 2 Betting Preview/Player Prop
25 May 2021
One of the most anticipated NBA Playoff Series features the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns. The Suns are the number two seed in the Western Conference and they earned a 99-90 victory in the series opener.
Los Angeles has dealt with injuries and adversity all season long, and that put them as the number seven seed in the West. The Lakers are healthy at this time, but they are fighting an uphill battle against a great team.
Phoenix went 51-21 during the regular season, and they nearly had the best record in the league. The Suns have been preparing for this moment for years, and now they are looking to take advantage of this opportunity.
The Los Angeles Lakers are two-point road favorites over the Phoenix Suns in Game 2 of the series.
Lakers Need More From Davis
Lakers star Anthony Davis had just 13 points and 7 rebounds in Game 1, and he took responsibility for the loss on Sunday. Davis is capable of taking over a game at any time, but the Suns have some size to throw at the big man.
LeBron James had 18 points and 10 assists in the series opener, but he is another player that needs to do more in Game 2. If James and Davis don’t combine for nearly 50 points in this one then it will be hard for the Lakers to keep up.
The Lakers did hold the Suns to just 99 points on Sunday, and it will take another solid defensive effort in Game 2.
Phoenix Can Defend
The Suns gave up just 107.4 points per game this season, making them one of the best defensive teams in the league. That defense was on display in Game 1, holding the defending champs to just 90 points.
Phoenix does need to do a better job on offense Tuesday night, and there is some concern about Chris Paul’s right shoulder. Paul sets the tone of this offense, and the Suns need him to dish out at least 10 assists to get things going.
Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton have been waiting for a playoff appearance, and both players were ready in Game 1. Booker led the way with 34 points and Ayton chipped in with 21 points and 16 rebounds.
Suns Take 2-0 Series Lead
The Lakers might be the defending NBA champions, but this team just doesn’t have the same rhythm that it had a season ago. Phoenix has been a much better team all season long, and the Suns are looking to take a sizable lead in this series.
Look for Anthony Davis to play much better in this game for the Lakers, but Los Angeles just doesn’t have enough weapons. The Suns have been great at home all season long, and they have a defense that can be dominating.
This game will be much closer than the series opener was, but the final result will be the same. Bet the Phoenix Suns in Game 2 of this series as the home team takes care of business and a 2-0 series lead.
Player Prop
Anthony Davis (-105) Over 24.5 Points
Among the Lakers disappointments in their Game 1 loss at Phoenix, probably none was bigger than the play of Davis. The Laker center missed 11 of 16 FG attempts and finished with only 13 points, nine below his regular season average. His plus/minus of -18 was also the worst on the team.
To his credit, AD shouldered the blame for his performance and vowed to be better in Game 2.
His play in last year’s bubble indicates that he is often true to his word. In the three games that he shot under 50 percent from the field, he rebounded the next game to average 31.7 points on 57 percent shooting.
And just two weeks ago, Davis had 42 points in a 123-110 win over the Suns.
With the entire Laker team looking to bounce back tonight, we’ll take AD (-105) to lead the charge and go over 24.5 points.
