Stephen Nover's NBA Tuesday Top Ticket - 8-4-1 NBA Run
(NBA) Phoenix vs. LA Lakers,
Point Spread: 1.50 | -105.00 Phoenix (Away)
Result: Loss
The records are almost identical. The Suns are 12-9. The Lakers are 12-8. 

The Lakers are the home team in this quarterfinal Western Conference matchup of the NBA's in-season tournament. LA is 2-0 vs Phoenix this season. The Lakers beat the Suns, 122-119, in the latest meeting Nov. 10. 

So why do I like the underdog Suns? 

I find Kevin Durant and Devin Booker to be the deadliest scoring duo in the NBA. The pair are averaging a combined 59 points per game. Booker missed the two earlier games against the Lakers. Yet even without Booker, the Suns nearly beat the Lakers in their previous meeting building a seven-point fourth quarter lead. 

Now Booker finally gets to play against LA. He's a difference maker. Since losing to the Lakers, the Suns have gone 8-2. Phoenix is the better team with those two in the lineup. They'll prove it here.