Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Lakers vs. Suns NBA expert prediction and odds for NBA In-Season Tournament Group Play

By Peter Dewey

Nov 8, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) and forward Keita Bates-Diop (21) celebrate after defeating the Chicago Bulls 116-115 in overtime at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) and forward Keita Bates-Diop (21) celebrate after defeating the Chicago Bulls 116-115 in overtime at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns will play their first NBA In-Season Tournament Group Play matchup on Friday night on ESPN – the second meeting between these teams this season.

Kevin Durant and LeBron James snapped their long streak of not playing head-to-head earlier this season, but we still won’t have these teams at full strength. Devin Booker is out for Phoenix and Anthony Davis is listed as questionable for the Lakers.

Los Angeles comes into this game off a bad loss to Houston, while the Suns played their first game with Bradley Beal in the lineup their last time out.

Who has the edge on Friday?

If you’re looking to bet on this Lakers-Suns game, tonight’s your chance to secure an amazing promotional offer from FanDuel Sportsbook! New users who sign up with the link below and wager $5 will receive $150 in bonus bets (if your team wins).

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook here!

Lakers vs. Suns odds, spread and total

Lakers vs. Suns how to watch

  • Date: Friday, Nov. 10
  • Game Time: 10:00 p.m. EST
  • Venue: Footprint Center
  • How to Watch (TV): ESPN
  • Los Angeles Lakers Record: 3-5
  • Phoenix Suns Record: 4-4

Lakers vs. Suns injury reports

Lakers injury report

  • Jarred Vanderbilt – out
  • Jalen Hood-Schifino – out
  • Gabe Vincent – out
  • Anthony Davis – questionable
  • Jaxson Hayes – questionable

Suns injury report

  • Devin Booker – out
  • Bradley Beal – probable
  • Damion Lee – out

Lakers vs. Suns key players to watch

Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James: With Anthony Davis listed as questionable, the Lakers are going to need to lean on James, who is having a great season, on Friday. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer is averaging 24.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game this season.

Phoenix Suns

Bradley Beal: In his season debut, Beal played 24 minutes for Phoenix, scoring 13 points on 3-of-12 shooting. It will be worth monitoring his minutes in this game – especially with Booker out.

Kevin Durant: Durant carried the Suns in the first meeting between these teams, but it wasn’t enough for a win. With Beal back, he should have a slightly easier time. The Suns star is averaging 29.2 points per game while shooting 51.3 percent from the field this season.

Lakers vs. Suns prediction and pick

I’m leaning with Phoenix to win this game now that Durant has some more help with Beal back in the lineup.

The Lakers needed a huge fourth quarter in the first meeting to win this game, and the team looked awful against Houston without Davis on Wednesday. If that happens again, the Lakers are in trouble on Friday night.

Los Angeles is just 27th in the NBA in net rating this season, and the team is also 0-8 against the spread in the first half of games this season.

I’ll likely wait to see an update on Davis’ status, but the Suns – despite being down two stars most of the season – have been the better team to date.

I like them to cover at home.

—

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

Find Peter Dewey’s betting record here.

Home/Betting Content