Suns vs. Lakers NBA expert prediction, odds, key players for Oct. 26 (Bet on LA)
By Peter Dewey
The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to bounce back from their opening night loss when they host the Phoenix Suns in their home opener on Thursday, Oct. 26.
The Lakers could catch a major break in this game with Bradley Beal and Devin Booker both listed as doubtful for the Suns.
Phoenix won its season opener over the Golden State Warriors without Beal, but Booker (35 points) led the way in that game.
Los Angeles needs more from Anthony Davis (17 points, scoreless second half vs. Denver), especially with LeBron James expected to be on a minutes limit this season.
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Suns vs. Lakers odds, spread and total
Suns vs. Lakers how to watch
- Date: Thursday, Oct. 26
- Game Time: 10:00 p.m. EST
- Venue: Crypto.com Arena
- How to Watch (TV): TNT
- Phoenix Suns Record: 1-0
- Los Angeles Lakers Record: 0-1
Suns vs. Lakers injury reports
Phoenix Suns injury report
- Damion Lee (out, knee)
- Bradley Beal (doubtful, back)
- Devin Booker (doubtful, foot)
Los Angeles Lakers injury report
- Jalen Hood-Schifino (out, knee)
- Jarred Vanderbilt (out, heel)
- Cam Reddish (probable, foot)
Suns vs. Lakers key players to watch
Phoenix Suns
Kevin Durant: KD shot just 7-for-22 in the team’s opening night win against the Golden State Warriors, but he may need to have a big night on Thursday if Booker and Beal both sit. The Suns don’t have a ton of scoring options after their top three players.
Josh Okogie: A hustle machine, Okogie had 17 points and five boards in 32 minutes against Golden State. He could see an expanded role if Booker sits out.
Los Angeles Lakers
Anthony Davis: Davis put up a goose egg in the second half against Denver, shooting just 6-for-17 from the field in the game. He has to be better if the Lakers want to contend for a title.
D’Angelo Russell: The Lakers may need more from D’Lo, as he scored just 11 points on 4-of-12 shooting in the opener. If LeBron James is going to be on a minutes limit all season, Russell or Austin Reaves has to step up as a scorer.
Suns vs. Lakers prediction and pick
This game is going to come down to whether or not Booker is going to be able to tough out his toe/foot injury to play on Thursday.
Beal appears to be on the wrong side of doubtful, but Booker played on Tuesday through the injury despite being considered 50-50 for that matchup earlier in the day.
That makes this a tough spread to attack since it appears that Booker being ruled out is baked into the current number.
The Lakers fought hard against Denver, but ultimately the lack of offense from Davis cost them. The team is going to need players like Russell, Reaves, and Davis to carry more of the scoring load in the 2023-24 season.
Ultimately, I think there is a path for the Lakers to win this game – at home – even if Booker plays. The fact that Phoenix listed him as doubtful means he’ll need a midday upgrade to be active.
My best betting advice would be to wait for an updated injury report, but laying the 5.5 points with the Lakers isn’t awful either.
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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
Find Peter Dewey’s NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.