Los Angeles (40-36) +8, o/u 221 at Phoenix (49-25), 10:35 p.m. Eastern, ESPN
by Ultimatecapper.com Staff
In what could well be a preview of a first-round Western Conference playoff series, the Los Angeles Lakers visit the slumping Phoenix Suns Friday night.
The Lakers have won six of their last eight games, but fell at Denver 110-108 in OT Thursday as five-point road dogs.
The Suns are just 7-8 in recent weeks, and have lost two games in a row, including a 119-105 decision to the Clippers Wednesday as eight-point home favorites. Over their last six games, in which they’ve gone 2-4, Phoenix has allowed an average of 117 points per game.
The Lakers are in third place in the Pacific Division, and hold down the #7 spot in the Western Conference, 2 1/2 games back of Memphis and 1 game ahead of Sacramento, with six games to play.
The Suns lead the Pacific Division by five games over the Clippers with eight games to go. Phoenix likely will be the #2 seed in the Western Conference come playoff time, despite their recent struggles.
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If the playoffs started today, the Lakers would play the Suns in the 2-vs.7 series.
Phoenix is 39-34 vs. the number on the season, 28-10 straight up but 18-20 ats at home, 31-26 ats as favorites.
L.A. is 38-34 against the spread this season, 18-22 straight up and 23-15 ats on the road, 20-14 ats as underdogs.
Phoenix has won six games in a row in the series with the Lakers, including two games this season by scores of 122-112 and 106-93.
Throwing the ball in the hole has not been a problem for the Suns. As a team, Phoenix is shooting 48% from the floor this season (2nd-best in the league), 39% from 3-point range (1st), and 81% from the line (also 1st).
Los Angeles is shooting 45% from the floor this season, 35% from 3-point range and 74% from the free-throw line.
The Suns also own a league-leading 27-13 assist-to-turnover ratio, and a +5.4 points per game differential (4th in the league).
However, Phoenix gets outrebounded, on average, by 4.6 boards per game.
The Lakers own a +1.8 rebounds per game margin and a +1.8 points per game differential.
The over/under is 38-38 in Lakers games this season, but eight of their last 11 games have stayed below the total.
The over is 41-30 in Suns games this season.
The Ultimatecapper Pick: The Lakers are coming off a very emotional overtime loss in Denver last night. Then they had to travel to Phoenix. I gotta believe they may show up with tired legs. We find the value in the under 221. Good luck! | 
