NBA Thursday Parlay - Suns vs. Hornets and Bulls vs. Lakers

Tip-of: Suns vs. Hornets at 8:00 pm EST and Bulls vs. Lakers at 10:30 pm EST

The Phoenix Suns have the best record in the NBA right now because not only do they play a fast paced game with the best point guard in the NBA, Steve Nash, but they have a starting five that is terrific at doing it.

Their new mobile center, Channing Frye, is a terrific compliment to Amare Stoudemire, Grant Hill and Jason Richardson. Add the fact that Nash is as good as he’s ever been and the Suns are the best team in the NBA. Nash is piling up points and assists.

They take on the hard luck New Orleans Hornets on Thursday night.

The Los Angeles Lakers, who expect to be the best team in the NBA as teams approach the spring next year, host the Chicago Bulls in our second betting game on Thursday night.

Phoenix Suns vs. New Orleans Hornets

Tip-off: 8:00 pm EST

NBA Odds: Phoenix -7 ½

Analysis: The Hornets actually played with some spunk in their last game, a 110 to 102 victory over the L.A.Clippers, but it was still only their 4th victory against the spread. Their ATS record matches their straight-up record and without Chris Paul the likelihood of them beating Steve Nash and the Suns are minimal. They just don’t have the fire power to keep up with Phoenix but their only chance of victory is to run with Phoenix.

That’s why the Suns are 7 ½ point road faves, right? Phoenix is going to run like mad. All five starters scored in double figures in the Suns’ victory over the Houston Rockets, 111 to 105, as 2 point underdogs. Are the Suns for real? Yes. That’s the reason they will probably keep beating teams like New Orleans and covering spreads.

Expect Nash, Stoudemire, Frye, Richardson and Hill to get the running game going early. Then, when the Suns bring Leandro Barbosa off the bench, it should all be over except for the shouting. Phoenix will win by at least 10 points.

Pick: Phoenix Suns at -7 ½

Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Tip-off: 10:30 pm EST

NBA Betting Line: Lakers -9 ½

Analysis: Pau Gasol may play tonight for the Los Angeles Lakers. Rumor has it that Coach Phil Jackson wasn’t too happy with how Gasol’s little stint on CSI: Miami on Monday night showed him looking perfectly fine.

That’s only a rumor, of course, but rumors have some truth usually and the last thing that the Lakers want is another Rick Fox on their hands instead of a great player. Gasol no doubt will be effective if he were to play tonight and Andrew Bynum, Kobe, and Lamar have been very good for the Lakers lately.

So has Ron Artest who is doing just enough to make himself a viable player in the Lakers’ starting line-up.

The biggest issue with handicapping this game is deciding how good Chicago actually is right now. Teams in the NBA are up one day and down the other. The Bulls appear to be up after two straight victories in which they’ve kept their opponents under 90 points. Chicago is 4 and 6 overall ATS, but 6 and 4 straight-up.