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LeBron James-led teams have never lost a first-round playoff series, but James’ Los Angeles Lakers could be in trouble if they lose Game 2 at Phoenix on Tuesday night to fall down 2-0. The Suns are home underdogs, however, on the NBA odds.

How to Bet Lakers at Suns NBA Odds & TV Info

When: Tuesday, 10 PM ET
Where: PHX Arena
TV: TNT
Stream: TNT app
Radio:com

Why Bet on LA Lakers? | NBA Betting Odds

LeBron James appeared to injure his shoulder during the Game 1 99-90 loss in Phoenix on Sunday, but says he’s fine and ready for Game 2. James went to the ground in pain after Chris Paul grabbed at his arm when they battled for a rebound on a missed free throw. Frankly, it looked more like LeBron was flopping. LeBron has never missed a playoff game due to injury.

James hit 6-of-13 shots, three 3-pointers and 3-of-6 free throws for 18 points, seven rebounds, 10 assists and three steals in 36 minutes of Sunday’s loss. James was aggressive in the first quarter, putting up eight points. He scored only 10 more points the rest of the way, however, and never really found a groove. James spent very little time moving downhill during Sunday’s Game 1 defeat. James attempted only four field goals inside of 10 feet: One was blocked, one was a tip-in, one was a layup and one resulted in a trip to the foul line.

Anthony Davis struggled in Game 1 with just 13 points and seven rebounds. The last time these two teams faced each other in the regular season, Davis went off for 42 points and 12 boards. His performance Sunday was terrible as Davis hit only five of his 16 field-goal attempts and never found a rhythm offensively. The Lakers were outscored by 18 points in the 39 minutes he played, giving him the worst plus-minus on the team.

“There’s no way we’re winning a game, let alone a series, with me playing the way that I played,” Davis said. “So, I mean, this is on me. I take full responsibility, for sure. We’ll be better Game 2.”

Davis proved his ability to bounce back in last year’s run to the championship. In the three games Davis played in the 2020 postseason following a contest in which he shot under 50% from the field, he averaged 31.7 points on 57% shooting and L.A. went 2-1.

Dennis Schröder had 14 points on 5-7 shooting with 3 assists, 2 steals, and 4 turnovers in Game 1 and Andre Drummond had 12 points on 5-7 shooting and had 9 rebounds, including 7 offensive rebounds.

This is the first NBA Playoffs matchup between the Lakers and Suns since the 2010 Western Conference Finals. In total, these two teams have met in the NBA Playoffs for a total of 12 series, with the Lakers advancing eight times.

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Nothing the Lakers did seemed to work against the Suns’ sixth-ranked defense in Game 1. The 90 points were the fewest the Lakers have had in a game with James and Davis this season and the third fewest in any game (playoffs, regular season or play-in) dating back to last season.the Suns’ sixth-ranked defense in Game 1. The 90 points were the fewest the Lakers have had in a game with James and Davis this season and the third fewest in any game (playoffs, regular season or play-in) dating back to last season.

Devin Booker led Phoenix with 34 points in the Game 1 win, setting the franchise record for points in a playoff debut. He scored or assisted on 53 points, the fifth most by a player in his playoff debut over the past 20 years. Booker also had eight assists and seven rebounds as Phoenix won its first playoff game in 11 years.

“The intensity’s different, the physicality is different,” Booker told reporters. “And it’s only one game.”

In his playoff debut, Deandre Ayton had 21 points and 16 rebounds while going 10-of-11 from the floor, becoming the first Suns player with 20 points and 10 rebounds in his NBA playoff debut since Hall of Famer Connie Hawkins in 1970. Ayton also was the sixth player with 20 points, 15 rebounds and 90% shooting (or better) in any playoff game. His 16 rebounds were the most by a Suns player in their first postseason appearance, passing Armen Gilliam in 1989. Ayton nearly grabbed half of the Lakers’ rebound total as a team (33).

“That’s next-level. You could see it in his face pregame that he was ready to go,” Booker said of Ayton. “As a collective whole, us being on him a lot during the game, getting him prepared for this moment and he responded to it and he stepped up so that’s big-time.”

There are some reports that Ayton may have left the bench during a skirmish involving Cam Payne, Alex Caruso and Montrezl Harrell, so it’s possible that Ayton is suspended for Game 2. Payne was ejected from the game after throwing the ball at Caruso. He finished the night with five points, three rebounds and one assist in 13 minutes.

The Suns overcame the adversity of a shoulder injury to All-Star point guard Chris Paul, who left the game in the second quarter but returned to a rousing ovation. He finished with seven points, eight assists and four rebounds in 36 minutes. Paul says he’ll be out there for Game 2.

The Suns have won 14 of the last 19 overall meetings vs. the Lakers played in Phoenix, including 11 straight from 2012-2017.