Who would have thought that an early second half game between Phoenix and the Los Angeles Lakers would be for the Pacific Division lead and the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference?

Monty Williams and his Suns might have thought so. Phoenix has slowly built a winner and has watched it pay off this season. The Suns have won six of their last seven and nine of their last eleven games.

The Lakers are still limping along without Anthony Davis. That will have an impact on Sunday’s game.

NBA HANDICAPPERS ARE CRUSHING BOOKIES

Game: Los Angeles Lakers (27-13, 20-20 ATS) at Phoenix Suns (26-12, 26-12 ATS)

When: 10:00 PM ET, Sunday, March 21, 2021

Where: PHX Arena, Phoenix, Arizona

Current Line: OFF     Total: OFF

TV Coverage: NBATV

Not the Same Without AD

Last Monday, it was announced that Davis would likely miss another three weeks and possibly longer. Los Angeles is 6-6 in this stretch without Davis, who will be needed if the Lakers plan on making another run to a second straight NBA title.

The Lakers have not lost since returning from the All-Star break. They have won three straight over Indiana, Golden State, and Minnesota. They also covered the spread in all three games pushing their current ATS streak to four.

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Suns Scorching Hot

Phoenix has been one of the elite teams in the NBA since a January string of six games. Between Jan. 11 and Jan. 27, the Suns went 1-5 with the lone win over Houston. Since beating Golden State handily on Jan. 28, Phoenix has lost just four times.

The Suns have also been extremely good to bettors with the best ATS record in the NBA at 26-12. In addition to winning six of their last seven, Phoenix has also covered in those six wins.

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The Suns and Lakers have played just once so far this season. Phoenix won 114-104 in Los Angeles on Mar. 2. Dario Saric scored 21 points to overcome the ejection of Devin Booker and lead the Suns to victory. Without Davis in the lineup, LeBron James took over and scored 38.

Phoenix was favored at -1.5 in that game and will be favored again playing at home. The spread will likely be in the same range with the Lakers playing well after the All-Star break.

Where the real value lies is on the total. Both of these teams are very good defensively. The Lakers are No. 2 in points allowed per game (106.3) and Phoenix is No. 4 (107.6). Neither team really plays an up-tempo style of game either. The Suns actually rank 28th in possessions per game.

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Lakers at Suns Free Pick

While all this points to the Under, it’s going to depend on the number. In the first Lakers-Suns matchup this season, the total was set at 215.5. Expect a similar number, possibly even lower. 

In their 6-1 streak, Phoenix held four of their opponents to fewer than 100 points. L.A. has held two of their last three to 100 or less. With the total at 215.5 or lower, take the Over which hit the first time these two teams played.

Lakers at Suns Free Pick: OVER up to 215.5