Los Angeles Lakers Vs Phoenix Suns Odds

Another late game-winner from Kobe Bryant(notes) didn’t make the Los Angeles Lakers feel much better, and this may be their last chance for a while to get a true boost of confidence.

Before a very easy stretch of the schedule, the Lakers desperately want a strong all-around performance Friday night when they visit a well-rested Phoenix Suns team which has been playing well.

While Phoenix (40-25) has won 14 of 18 to move into a virtual tie for fifth place in the West, Los Angeles (47-18) has split its last 10 to see its lead atop the conference dwindle to 2 1/2 games over red-hot Dallas.


Stoudemire totaled 26 points in the previous two matchups this season and the Lakers won by a combined 39. He’s scored 30 in each of his last three games.

Another big man providing a lift is Robin Lopez(notes), whose post presence defensively has helped Phoenix go 16-8 since he joined the starting lineup. Now Lopez tries to limit the effectiveness of Andrew Bynum(notes), averaging 17.4 points and 10.4 rebounds in his last seven games against the Suns.

Lopez could see extended minutes because backup center Channing Frye(notes) was suspended for this game for throwing a punch in a 113-105 win over Indiana on Tuesday.