The Los Angeles Lakers got off to a bad start in the playoffs, having lost Game 1 against the Phoenix Suns. A chance to bounce back and even things up comes for them this Tuesday. But will the Suns deny them of a win again? Check out our preview of this game below.
Are the Lakers in trouble after losing Game 1? Well, let’s just say that they lost both Game 1s of their first two series in the bubble last season and went on to win four straight in each. The Lakers are still looking fine despite losing to Phoenix in Game 1, 99-90. Anthony Davis scored just 13 points in that game, while LeBron James had a double-double of 18 points and 10 assists to go with seven rebounds. As a team, the Lakers shot 43.4 percent from the field and 26.9 percent from behind the arc. Those numbers should pick up in Game 2, with the Lakers expected to play with some sense of urgency. AD can’t let Deandre Ayton outplay him again, while Lakers defenders need to put the clamps on Devin Booker. Los Angeles can do both of that, as there’s no doubt Davis right now is the better player than Ayton, while the team’s defense is among the best in the league, even back in the regular season.
The Lakers are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven games as an underdog on the road.
The Suns and their fans can breathe a huge sigh of relief, as Chris Paul is cleared to play in Game 2 after suffering a stinger in the series opener. Paul scored just seven points in Game 1, but had eight assists and four rebounds. The one who really did the damage for Phoenix was Booker, who went off for 34 points on 13-of-26 shooting from the field. Ayton stood his ground against Davis and scored 21 points with 16 rebounds. Phoenix outrebounded the Lakers, 47-33 with 16 on the offensive glass to just 10 by LA. That kind of rebounding is key for Phoenix, as it takes away lots of offensive possessions from the Lakers. The Suns have played that way all season long. Back in the regular season, the Suns allowed just 86.6 field goal attempts per game, the eighth-best in the NBA. Phoenix’s perimeter defense was also on full display in Game 1, with LA shooting brick after brick from deep. Don’t be surprised if the Suns play that well again defensively, as they were fifth in opponents’ 3-point shooting percentage (35.3) at the end of the regular season.
The Suns are 4-1 against the spread in their last five home games.
