Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns (6:10pm)

Key injuries are expected to slow the offensive production on both sides. The Lakers will be without superstar Luka Doncic, who is sidelined with a lower left leg contusion. Doncic has been the engine of L.A.’s offense, averaging an eye-popping 34.1 points per game while also contributing 8.8 assists and strong rebounding numbers. His absence goes far beyond lost scoring, it disrupts the entire offensive structure. The Lakers rely heavily on his playmaking to generate open looks for teammates like Austin Reaves (who remains available) and Deandre Ayton. Without Don​cic, Los Angeles’ offense has sputtered in recent games, and keeping pace without an MVP-caliber player is a difficult task.

Phoenix isn’t at full strength either. Grayson Allen is sidelined due to right knee injury management, removing a dependable perimeter shooter and defender from the rotation. More significantly, Jalen Green remains out with a right hamstring strain. While Green has appeared in only two games this season, his explosive athleticism and scoring ability are critical for stretching defenses. Without him, the Suns’ offense could stagnate, particularly against a Lakers team that has shown flashes of solid defensive play despite recent inconsistency.

These absences point toward a more methodical, grind-it-out game where each possession carries added importance and scoring runs are harder to come by. Pace further supports that expectation. Phoenix ranks 25th in the NBA in tempo at just 97.05 possessions per game, favoring a deliberate half-court style that limits transition opportunities and allows defenses to get set. The Lakers aren’t especially fast either, hovering around league average and often slowing down even more in road environments.

When two slower teams match up, overall scoring often takes a hit. Expect longer possessions, extended shot clocks, more post-ups particularly with Ayton involved​ and fewer fast-break chances. Phoenix has embraced a physical, scrappy identity this season, ranking 11th in both offensive and defensive efficiency. They allow just 114.1 points per game, and that number improves at home where they control tempo and physicality. Their ability to contest shots and force turnovers could expose the Lakers’ offensive limitations without Don​cic.

​This season, Suns home games particularly against Western Conference opponents have consistently trended toward lower-scoring outcomes. The Lakers’ road games without key contributors show a similar pattern. All indicators point to a slower, defense-first matchup where scoring is at a premium, with the total projecting closer to the low 220s rather than a high-scoring affair.

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Pick: Under 226.5 (-110)

🍀Best of luck!

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