NBA Western Conference Final Series Odds And Pick
By ASHTON GREWAL
Los Angeles Lakers (-335) vs. Phoenix Suns (+293)
There’s no question who the sentimental favorite is in this one. There aren’t two more likeable guys in the league than Steve Nash and Grant Hill and you’ve got to figure that this is the last chance either will get at a championship ring.
But for Nash and Hill to get a shot to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy, they’ll have to get by the defending champs.
What the Suns have going for them
I picked the Spurs to win last round but I think I underestimated the best thing the Suns’ biggest asset: chemistry. Nash has played on some ridiculously talented teams but he’s said repeatedly said that this is the best group of guys he’s played with.
The Suns are also oozing with confidence after sweeping the Spurs. It proved to all the critics that Phoenix is not the same cute, but one-dimensional squad.
What the Lakers have going for them
Kobe Bryant. The Lakers’ superstar had his way with the Jazz and has scored 30 or more points in five straight playoff games. The Suns don’t matchup well against the Lakers – particularly with Kobe.
Phoenix will probably put Hill and Jared Dudley on No. 24 for most of the series, but there’ll be times when Jason Richardson will have to guard Bryant and that’s a scary scenario for Los Suns backers.
And don’t forget the Lakers have owned the Suns in recent years, winning and covering in six of their last eight meetings.
X-factors
Suns: Channing Frye is the best weapon the Suns have against the Lakers’ starting big man duo. Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum won’t be able to eat up Amare Stoudemire’s space in the paint if Frye is locked in from beyond the arc.
Lakers: Phoenix will only go as far as Nash will take them and it'll be up to Derek Fisher to limit the one-eyed monster. That’s no small feat for a player who has trouble staying in front of some of the lower-tier point guards. But Fish is smart and knows how to get underneath an opponent’s skin.
Prediction
Like I said, it’d be a great story if Phoenix won. It would undo some of the past hard luck the Suns have been dealt in the postseason. Unfortunately, the best story rarely pans out in the Association. The Lakers are a far superior team and they’ll prove it early.
Pick: Lakers in five