CLICK HERE FOR THE BEST NBA WEEKLY GAMBLING TIPS & FREE NBA PREDICTIONS!! \u2014><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The Phoenix Suns started the season as if they were going to be the biggest surprise contender for an NBA Championship. Then they hit a lull and now they are playing well again.<\/p>\n The Suns, who started the year 14-3, then won just 12 of their next their next 30 games, are currently on a 14-4 stretch. After deciding to keep Amare Stoudemire at the deadline, they have played well and appear to show some signs of being a contender.<\/p>\n Team records:<\/strong> The problem is that the same faults still plague this team. They still try to outscore everyone and fail on the defensive end. That will come back to haunt them in the playoffs.<\/p>\n What\u2019s\u00a0 Happening With The Lakers<\/strong><\/p>\n The Lakers were once again saved by Kobe Bryant, this time against the Toronto Raptors.<\/p>\n Overall, there is no real question that the Lakers are the best team in the Western Conference and they go through lulls where they just get bored of basketball. Everyone knows that they are the team to beat and that they will turn it up another level once the playoffs come along, so don\u2019t expect great efforts from this squad nightly until they hit the postseason.<\/p>\n What\u2019s\u00a0 Happening With The Suns<\/strong><\/p>\n The Suns are playing well and there is no doubting that they are a playoff team in the West. Unfortunately, that still doesn\u2019t make them a contender.<\/p>\n The Suns have won 14 of their last 18 games but the four losses came to Utah, Portland, San Antonio and Dallas. Clearly, this squad still has some work to do. They\u2019ll make you believe that they are playing more defense and have become tougher \u2013 especially after Channing Frye was ejected against the Indiana Pacers \u2013 but this is still a team that ranks 28th<\/sup> overall in scoring defense. The only teams worse are Minnesota and Golden State.<\/p>\n The Suns simply can\u2019t compete against serious opponents when they play defense like that and it is going to burn them eventually.<\/p>\n Outlook & Pick<\/strong><\/p>\n The good news for the Suns is that they are well-rested and at home, while the Lakers are on the road. The Lakers are far more vulnerable away from home as they are just 17-13 on the road versus 30-5 at home.<\/p>\n The Suns have lost just eight home games all year and they\u2019ll take advantage of the opportunity to make one of those empty, regular season statements against the best in the West. They\u2019ll get the win and cover against the Lakers on Friday.<\/p>\nFriday NBA Betting \u2013\u00a0 Suns Will Burn Lakers<\/h3>\n
\nLos Angeles<\/strong>: 47-18 SU, 27-36-2 ATS
\nPhoenix<\/strong>: 40-25 SU, 37-27-1 ATS
\nBetting Odds<\/strong>: Lakers listed as 2-point favorites
\nNext up:<\/strong> LA Lakers at Golden State, Monday, March 15, Phoenix home to New Orleans, Sunday, March 14<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n