Shaq returns as Suns face streaking Lakers

Feb 20, 2008 / By Nick Bailey

The Phoenix Suns will have Shaquille O’Neal in the lineup tonight when they host the streaking Los Angeles Lakers.

O’Neal, who led the Lakers to three straight NBA titles before being traded to the Miami Heat, was traded from the Heat to the Suns two weeks ago in exchange for forward Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks.

He’s been sidelined with a hip injury since before the trade, but will start at center for the Suns tonight.

Phoenix is a 3-point favorite at Sportbet. The over/under total is 224½.

Phoenix has an edge over the past 10 meetings, going 7-3 SU. The Lakers have covered the spread in six of the past 10. The teams last squared off on Jan. 17, when the Suns won 106-98 as 1½-point road underdogs. The score was under the total of 226½.

On Tuesday, Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 23 points and five rebounds to pace a 122-93 win over the Atlanta Hawks, the Lakers’ fifth-straight victory. Los Angeles (36-17 SU, 33-19-1 ATS) easily covered the 11-point home spread, and the score was over the total of 207½.

Amare Stoudemire and Leandro dropped 26 points apiece as the Suns defeated the Dallas Mavericks 109-97 last Thursday night, prior to the NBA All-Star break. The Suns (37-16 SU, 24-27-2 ATS) covered as 6-point home favorites and the score was under the 206½-point total.

The Lakers are 5-0 ATS in their past five games, 8-1 ATS in their past nine on the road, and 7-1 SU in their past eight on the road.

Phoenix is 7-1 SU in their past eight at home against the Lakers, and 10-2 SU in its past 12 at home. The total has gone over in five of Phoenix's past six overall, and in four of Phoenix's past five at home.

Tip off is 9 pm and the game can be seen on ESPN.

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