Phoenix hosts Los Angeles to begin playoffs

Updated May. 22, 2021 3:22 a.m. ET

Associated Press

Los Angeles Lakers (42-30, seventh in the Western Conference during the regular season) vs. Phoenix Suns (51-21, second in the Western Conference during the regular season)

Phoenix; Sunday, 3:30 p.m. EDT

LINE: Suns -2.5; over/under is 212.5

WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Suns host first series matchup

BOTTOM LINE: The Phoenix Suns host the Los Angeles Lakers to begin the Western Conference first round. Phoenix went 2-1 against Los Angeles during the regular season. The Lakers won the last regular season matchup 123-110 on May 9. Anthony Davis scored 42 points to help lead Los Angeles to the victory and Cameron Payne totaled 24 points in the loss for Phoenix.

The Suns are 7-5 against Pacific Division teams. Phoenix ranks third in the league with 26.9 assists per game. Chris Paul leads the Suns averaging 8.9.

The Lakers are 4-8 against opponents in the Pacific Division. Los Angeles is 31-9 when outrebounding opponents and averages 44.2 rebounds per game.

TOP PERFORMERS: Paul is shooting 49.9% and averaging 16.4 points. Devin Booker is averaging 24 points and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 42.3% over the last 10 games for Phoenix.

LeBron James leads the Lakers averaging 25 points and is adding 7.7 rebounds. Davis is averaging 20.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists over the last 10 games for Los Angeles.

LAST 10 GAMES: Suns: 7-3, averaging 121.6 points, 41.1 rebounds, 27.3 assists, 7.3 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 50.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.4 points on 49.4% shooting.

Lakers: 6-4, averaging 108.8 points, 43.5 rebounds, 25.2 assists, 7.4 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.8 points on 47.1% shooting.

INJURIES: Suns: Deandre Ayton: day to day (knee), Abdel Nader: out (knee), Jae Crowder: day to day (ankle), Cameron Johnson: day to day (wrist).

Lakers: None listed.

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