Expect a low-scoring game when the Phoenix Suns (18-50) and Los Angeles Lakers (14-54) collide at the Staples Center. Action begins at 10:30 pm ET on Friday, Mar. 18 and can be seen on TWC and FAZ.
The Lakers are expecting a better outcome after their 106-98 loss to the Kings on Tuesday. Lou Williams was the team’s leading scorer with 17 points. The Suns, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their blowout 103-69 loss against the Jazz on Thursday. Brandon Knight had a team-high 17 points.
Both teams have won a game in the season series. The Lakers had the upper hand in the most recent game, a blowout 97-77 win. In the victory, Williams led all scorers on the team with 30 points.
The Lakers have gone 14-54 Straight Up (SU) and 32-36 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 3-8 SU and 6-5 ATS against divisional opponents. Los Angeles will look to take advantage of the Suns and their propensity to foul. Phoenix has committed the most fouls in the league, averaging 23.1 per game.
In the other locker room, the Suns have a record of 27-41 ATS and 18-50 SU. Phoenix has not performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning a 3-7 record.
Los Angeles beat Phoenix in their most recent meeting this season, but the win was not enough to overtake Phoenix in the recent head-to-head series. Its record is now 2-8 SU over the most recent 10 meetings. Furthermore, the Suns hold the advantage ATS with a record of 6-3-1.
Predictions: SU Winner – Pho
Notes
“LA Lakers is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games “.
“LA Lakers is 3-13 SU in its last 16 games “.
“The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Lakers’s last 6 games “.
“LA Lakers is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home”.
“LA Lakers is 4-12 SU in its last 16 games at home”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 7 of LA Lakers’s last 8 games at home”.
“LA Lakers is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Phoenix”.
“LA Lakers is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Phoenix”.
“The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Lakers’s last 6 games when playing Phoenix”.
“LA Lakers is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Phoenix”.
“The total has gone OVER in 17 of LA Lakers’s last 25 games when playing at home against Phoenix”.
Ranked zeroth, Los Angeles scores 0.0 points per game. On the other hand, Phoenix gives up 0.0 and also ranks zeroth (in points allowed).
Los Angeles and Phoenix are well matched, ranking zeroth in points per home game and points allowed per away game respectively. Los Angeles puts up an average of 0.0 points per home game, while Phoenix gives up 0.0 points per away game on average.
In its last game, Phoenix lost by a 34-point margin. Los Angeles is 2-17 in games decided by a margin of 18 points or more. Phoenix has a 5-17 record in blowouts.
The Phoenix Suns are an even 7-7 when they keep their opponents to fewer than 100 points. The Los Angeles Lakers have an underachieving record of 5-37 this season when they score less than 100.
When Phoenix gives up at least 100 points, it has a subpar 11-43 record this season. Los Angeles also has a poor record when it hits triple digits (9-17).
The Lakers have a defensive rating of 110.0 (ranked 30th), while the Suns rank 29th for their offensive rating of 99.9.
Los Angeles has an average field goal percentage of 41.8%. Phoenix is an abysmal 10-46 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
On average, Los Angeles attempts 24.0 three pointers and Phoenix attempts 25.0 per game. In games where the teams have 25 or more three point attempts, both have losing records. The Lakers are 8-29 while the Suns sit at 10-28.
The Lakers have an assist to turnover ratio of 1.41 this season (ranked 27th), while the Suns rank last in the league with an A/TO of 1.26.
The Lakers rank 20th in rebounds per game with 42.8, while the Suns rank 16th with 43.8 per game.
Los Angeles is ranked 23rd in defensive rebounds, while Phoenix ranks eighth in offensive rebounds.
Los Angeles has forced an average turnover percentage of 12.2% this season. Phoenix has a subpar 15-42 record when its TOV% is 12.2% or higher.
