Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix Suns on Monday, February 8 is about as close to a coin flip as the ratings get, with the Suns at only 55%. Small things like rest, health and shooting variance should decide it.
Why it is so close
The Win Meter reads the Suns 55%, with a projected score of Los Angeles Lakers 115, Phoenix Suns 116. The rating gap is 68 points in favor of the Lakers, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Suns on top of that.
Readings in this range leave plenty of room for the other side. About 45 times in 100 games like this, the Lakers would win.
Recent form
The Lakers are 2-0 this season and 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -3.2. The Suns are 1-1 this season and 1-4 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -13.2.
The Lakers' best recent win was 127-105 at home against GSW.
The Lakers were beaten 131-108 at home by OKC not long ago.
The Suns were beaten 124-83 on the road by POR not long ago.
Injuries to watch
Out: Cameron Carr (LAL), expected back Oct 27, 2026, Adou Thiero (LAL), expected back Oct 27, 2026, and Mark Williams (PHX), expected back Feb 3, 2027.
Day to day or questionable: Walker Kessler (LAL) and Oso Ighodaro (PHX). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Suns lead 5-4, with the Suns outscoring the Lakers by an average of 3 points per game. The last meeting was PHX 73, LAL 101.