Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, John Madden and Chuck Noll, Bart Starr and Johnny Unitas, Muhhamed Ali and Joe Fraizer, Dirk Nowitzki and Tim Duncan. Some of the greatest athletes to ever participate in their sport are synonymous with a fellow rival.

In fact, it is what fuels popularity, passion, and allows for debates that last generations. Kevin Durant and LeBron James fall into that category as well. They have played each other in two NBA Finals, and Durant was on the winning team in both. 

Durant also has 5 total MVPs (1 season, 2 Finals, 2 All-Star, while James has 12 MVPs in his career (4 season, 4 Finals, 3 All-Star, and the inaugural NBA Cup).

 

 

 

Phoenix Suns: ‘Frenemies’

There is a combined 40 years of NBA experience between these two all-time greats. One could make a valid case that each is the best player to ever pick up a basketball, and in LeBron's case it’s getting really difficult to deny he is the greatest basketball player that ever lived. 

He owns almost every significant record and barring an injury he will have played in the most games all-time before 2025. He’s done it at a high level throughout too, he is still a top ten player in the league.

The two are friends off the court and enemies on it (unless playing for Team USA). They are ‘frenemies’, and we won’t get too many more games watching two players that have defined this century of basketball much longer… cherish it.

 

 

 

Los Angeles Lakers: 41 Is Not Enough

Durant and James have played each other 40 times over their career. James has won 23, 18 of which in the regular season, and Durant has won 17, 9 of them in the playoffs. The forty-first meeting between the legends should be thrilling as both the Lakers and the Suns are expected to be playoff teams again.

Although they are the most popular figure on their team, they are not always the leading scorer or the most important player. In fact, both teams have had to play with their stars out for injuries. 

Tonight, the spread is only 1.5 points in favor of the Lakers, that is a way of saying the sportsbooks do not feel confident about who is winning. The Lakers have the front court and size advantage, but the Suns have the advantage of quick guards and two elite scorers. It should be an entertaining game and staying away from the straight bets is suggested. 

 

 

 

Los Angeles Lakers Starting Lineup

Phoenix Suns Starting Lineup

 

 

 

Suns vs. Lakers Predictions & Picks Today: Friday, October 25th

Anthony Davis Over 22.5P + Kevin Durant Over 22.5P (+102 SGP on DraftKings)

Expect Davis to take advantage of a mismatch as he is a much better center than Jusuf Nurkic. He can position himself for offensive rebounds and easy put backs. He will also post Nurkic outside the paint and use footwork to get open looks. Davis scored 36 points two days ago and should get to 23 or more today.

Durant is not the top scoring option every night, but he managed 25 points against the Clippers for the Suns opening game. It feels like Durant also gears up his performance when playing against his frenemy LeBron James. Durant has averaged over 23 points for 17 straight seasons, and every year but his rookie campaign. 

Tonight should not be any different in ESPN’s marquee Friday night game. John Madden stated if you compete in anything long enough, it will come down to you and one person or your team against another team. For LeBron James and Kevin Durant, they are each other’s competition, and they are that one person.

 

 

 

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Bet Smart, Be Lucky -Iggy-