Game 2: Suns vs. Lakers NBA Pick | Preview

WEDNESDAY MAY 19, 2010 – Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers

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Team records:
Phoenix: 54-28 SU, 48-32-2 ATS
L.A.: 57-25 SU, 34-46-2 ATS

After the Game 1 beatdown of near-biblical proportions, the Suns had no choice but to play the “It’s only one game” card.

When you lose by 21 after trailing by as many as 28, what other option is there?

Matchup: SUNS vs. LAKERS

Time: Wednesday 9:00 ET
Venue: Staples Center, Los Angeles
Spread: Lakers -6.5
Over/Under: 215.5

You can’t admit what was obvious to any neutral observer: That the Lakers are just plain better.

Don’t expect many offensive adjustments from the Suns in Game 2 Wednesday night. Phoenix has one style of play – get the ball upcourt as fast as possible and get a shot up before shot clock comes anywhere close to single digits. All fine and good. It produces beaucoup points and teams that don’t want to sprint for 48 minutes often wind up in a ditch.

Three problems:

1. The Lakers are fine with that.
2. You can’t run effectively if you are constantly taking the ball out of bounds after your opponent scores.
3. You also have to play defense.

“They’re the world champions,” notes Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry, “and there’s a reason they’re the champions. It’s not like they let people waltz in here (Staples Center) and win.”

Must-win games are hyperbole until a team has three losses in a best-of-seven series, but it’s hard to construct any kind of scenario in which Phoenix wins this series after a Game 2 loss.

The Lakers just do not lose 4 of 5 playoff games.

As if the Suns don’t already have enough problems, Amar’e Stoudemire’s mother was arrested Monday for the umpteenth time and charged with not having an ignition lock device device on her car.

[A vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device cannot be driven unless the driver passes breath alcohol tests via an analyzer installed in the vehicle.]

Also, Amar’e didn’t do himself any favors when he shrugged off the Game 1 loss and, when asked about Lamar Odom’s performance (19 points, 19 rebounds), called the Laker “lucky.”

Suns vs. Lakers Game 2 Free NBA Prediction

How high can the O/U go? Well, if the Suns don’t start playing better defense the Lakers might be able to pressure the number (215.5) on their own. As Doug Collins points out, teams that run don’t like to be run on themselves.

LA had a taste of uptempo basketball in Round 1 against Oklahoma City, but the Suns’ first two playoff opponents (Portland and San Antonio) were more comfortable in halfcourt sets, so maybe there’s an adjustment period.

Still, the Suns were soundly outplayed in three of the four periods in Game 1 (Kobe Bryant sat out much of the second period) and showed no indication that they have any more idea how to deal with Bryant or the Lakers’ massive front line than did the Jazz in Round 2.

LAKERS -6 in this one.

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Lawrence Paul is a regular contributor to the Cappers Picks Blog, and is a free-lance gambling and travel expert from Massachusetts.