The Suns are missing two of their top three scorers as both Kevin Durant and Deandre Ayton will be inactive tonight. While both KD and Ayton will hopefully return sooner than later, but in the meantime the Suns are starting Bismack Biyombo, Josh Okogie, and Torrey Craig alongside CP3 and Devin Booker. While I expect Devin Booker to continue shouldering most of the scoring load, the Suns will need Paul to also step up in the scoring department. The Lakers defense has been a lot better recently, but they have given up a lot of scoring production to opposing point guards. I expect Paul to be aggressive and get up a few extra shots tonight.

I'm with Mike Barner in that I'm a tad surprised the Lakers are home dogs here with the Suns having a well-below .500 road record, having lost four of five overall and no Deandre Ayton (and obviously no Kevin Durant). Who checks Anthony Davis with no Ayton? Don't even say Bismack Biyombo. Quick aside: I was almost named Bismack. Dang it! LA is back outside the West play-in tournament and needs it more.

It's a bit surprising that the Lakers aren’t favored for this game. The Suns are 15-21 on the road and have lost four of their last five games, overall. The Suns will also be without two of their best players in Kevin Durant (ankle) and Deandre Ayton (hip). With LeBron James (foot) expected to be the only significant absence for the Lakers, I’ll take the points.