The Lakers, which have lost just one game since the All Star break, continue their current seven game home stand this evening as they take on Pacific Division adversary Phoenix at the STAPLES Center. Tonight's rivalry tilt is scheduled to get underway at 10:30pm ET on TNT. The latest NBA Spreads are favoring Los Angeles at -7 against the spread and -300 on the moneyline; the Over/Under is presently set at 200.
Phoenix efforts to claw its way into the postseason were severely damaged by a four game losing streak between March 
10th and 16th. The Suns, though, have restored some hope for a playoff spot by winning their last two games.
Phoenix latest triumph came on Sunday when it beat the Clippers 108-99 at the STAPLES Center. Steve Nash had a monster night, scoring 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting; he also dished out 13 assists and grabbed seven rebounds in helping his team improve to 35-33 on the season.
The Suns bench also showed up big against the Clippers as Hakim Warrick, Jared Dudley, and Marcin Gortat all scored in double figures. Gortat led the team in rebounds with 13.
Phoenix remains 2.5 games behind the Grizzlies, who currenlty own the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Memphis is not the only team the Suns have to worry about, though, as Houston and Utah remain in the chase with 37-34 and 36-35 records respectively.
Los Angeles ran its record to 50-20 on Sunday with an 84-80 win against the Portland Trail Blazers. The victory, the team's fourth in a row, saw the Lakers limit Portland to 38.6 percent field goal shooting. L.A.'s stingy defensive effort enabled the team to overcome a 10 rebound deficit as well as a 3-for-17 night from beyond the arc.
Kobe Bryant led the team in scoring with 22 points on 9-of-20 shooting. Both Paul Gasol and Lamar Odom, who replaced the suspended Andrew Bynum in the starting lineup, produced double doubles in the win, Gasol going for 14 points and 13 boards while Odom tallied 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Despite the Lakers incredible post-All-Star run, they still trail the Spurs by seven games in the Western Conference overall standings.
Los Angeles has won seven of its last 10 meetings with Phoenix, but the Suns did score a 121-116 upset in their last visit to the STAPLES Center (Nov. 14th).
Suns vs Lakers NBA Spreads March 22nd, 2011:
Phoenix Suns +7 (-110), Over 200 (-110), +250 (Moneyline)
Los Angeles Lakers -7 (-110), Under 200 (-110), -300 (Moneyline)
