Filip Tomic
Show Bio
After an exciting opening day of the NBA Playoffs yesterday, we run it back today with four more games!
The Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns match-up tips-off at 3.30pm ET live on ABC and our Same Game Parlay is ready!
We also have picks on the side and total for the rest of Sunday’s action, don’t forget to check those out as well.
Over 213.5 Total Points (-110)
Devin Booker To Score 30+ Points (+166)
Chris Paul Over 9.5 Assists (-104)
Anthony Davis to Score 30+ Points (+200)
Parlay odds: +1639
Over 213.5 Total Points (-110)
The over also makes some sense in this spot. In a game like this with the Lakers’ strong defense my initial inclination was to lean under like I did in their play-in game, but this total is simply too low. The last time these teams played the Lakers scored 123 points, and that was without James in the lineup. Only one of their three meetings this season stayed below this total, and that was a game where both James and Davis didn’t play so you can throw that out the window. The over is 21-6 in Phoenix’s last 27 games, and I don’t see how a total in the low 210s is justifiable. Los Angeles’ defense doesn’t hold up quite as well against top competition, as the over is 7-1-1 in their last nine games against teams with winning records. Paul has been shooting really well, he was at 50 percent from beyond the arc in May and 44.6 percent in April.
Devin Booker To Score 30+ Points (+166)
I’m expecting a big game from Devin Booker in his first-ever playoff appearance. In last season’s bubble in Orlando he averaged 30.5 points per game and was the main reason why the Suns went 8-0 in those games. He has been in great form lately, at the end of April and start of May he had a stretch of scoring 30+ points in six of seven games. Although it will be his fist postseason game, I don’t expect him to show nerves, he is already an experienced player and with Paul on his side, he will stay calm and have a big scoring night.
Chris Paul Over 9.5 Assists (-104)
At the age of 36, Paul might be playing the best basketball of his career with the Suns. He finished the regular season averaging the third highest number of assists per game at 8.9. Over his last 10 outings that number goes up to 10 per game and he has played only 29.1 minutes per game during that stretch. In seven of those 10 games he had double-digit assists, which gives us extra confidence for our bet. In the three games against the Lakers this season he averaged 11 assists per game. His mission will be setting the tone for the young Suns in this series, under his guidance they might actually have a chance to fend off the defending champions. Look for him to distribute the ball and get everyone involved.
Anthony Davis to Score 30+ Points (+200)
Although he’s still putting up numbers, LeBron James has struggled scoring ever since he tweaked his ankle which caused him to miss 26 games. In his last four outings he is averaging only 21 points per game. Luckily for the Lakers they still have a superstar in Anthony Davis. In the games against the Suns two weeks ago he dropped a cold 42-points and led LA to a win despite playing shorthanded. AD is a match-up nightmare for every team in the NBA, including the Suns who don’t really have anyone on their roster to slow him down. With us expecting a high scoring game here, Davis will be the one carrying the Lakers offensively.
Pickswise is the home of free NBA picks and predictions. Make sure to also check out our ‘NBA parlays‘ and ‘NBA prop bets‘ tabs for more expert picks.
