Bodog Beat

No more suits: Shaquille O'Neal will start for Phoenix against Los Angeles tonight. (AP Images)

Tonight's the night.

After a lengthy familiarization process and an All-Star break thrown in to boot, Shaquille O'Neal will make his regular season debut tonight as the Phoenix Suns take on the Los Angeles Lakers at the US Airways Center.

O'Neal, a mortal lock to make the Hall-of-Fame, has been sidelined since January 21st with a hip injury. Rather than see if their big man could heal, the Miami Heat too the proactive approach and dealt Shaq to Phoenix for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks. The trade sent shockwaves throughout the NBA as it came on the heels of the Lakers acquiring Pau Gasol from Memphis.

Shaq's inclusion into tonight's contest adds to what is arguably the best rivalry in the NBA already. The Suns and Lakers do not especially like each other – from Kobe Bryant vs. Raja Bell to Mike D'Antoni vs. Phil Jackson.

Some Betting Trends to Consider:

• LA Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games
• LA Lakers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games
• LA Lakers are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games on the road
• LA Lakers are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games on the road
• Phoenix is 7-1 SU in their last 8 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
• Phoenix is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games at home
• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Phoenix's last 6 games
• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Phoenix's last 5 games at home

Phoenix comes into this contest as a 3.5-point home favorite, while the total for tonight's contest has been set at 224 in the Bodog Sportsbook.

NBA Basketball Betting!