Looking to rebound from a two-game losing streak, the Phoenix Suns (33-24, 8th in Western Conference) host the Los Angeles Lakers (31-27, 9th in Western Conference) in the final meeting of the two teams this season. The Lakers are 3-1 against the Suns so far.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In the last meeting between these two teams on Jan. 14 in Los Angeles, the Suns finally got their first win of the season series in blowout fashion with a 127-109 victory. Beal scored a then season-high 37 points, as Phoenix controlled this game from start to finish after coming out firing.
Without Beal and Nurkić Friday night, the Suns squandered a 16-point first quarter lead and lost 114-110 to the Houston Rockets. Phoenix could not piece together a full game, struggling mightily in the second and third quarters. However, Bol Bol had a breakout performance with a season-high 25 points and 14 rebounds off the bench.
The Lakers beat the Spurs 123-118 Friday to pick up their fourth win in five games. James led the way with 30 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. Davis was not far behind him, as he posted 28 points on 10-of-14 shooting and 13 rebounds.
Since the two teams last played, they have identical records of 12-6, tied for fifth-best in the NBA in this period. Phoenix is No. 1 in field-goal percentage in the NBA at 52.5% in this span, while the Lakers are second at 51.2%.
Local Game Information
Start Time: 1:30 p.m. MST
Location: Toyota Center
TV Channel: ABC
Radio:Â Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, La Mejor 106.5 FM
Stream:Â Suns Live (click for more info)
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) February 25, 2024
Betting Odds
Line: PHX -4.0
O/U:Â 237.5
Injury Report
Phoenix Suns: Bradley Beal (left hamstring tightness) OUT |Jusuf Nurkić (right ankle sprain) PROBABLE | Eric Gordon (left groin soreness) QUESTIONABLE | Damion Lee (right meniscus surgery) OUT
Los Angeles Lakers:Â LeBron James (left ankle tendinopathy) QUESTIONABLE | Anthony Davis (bilateral achilles tendinopathy & left hip spasm) QUESTIONABLE | Cam Reddish (right ankle sprain) QUESTIONABLE | Jarred Vanderbilt (right mid-foot sprain) OUT | Christian Wood (left knee effusion) OUT | Gabe Vincent (left knee surgery) OUT
Starters (Projected)
Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker, Grayson Allen, Eric Gordon/Royce O’Neale, Kevin Durant, Jusuf Nurkić
Los Angeles Lakers:Â D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Anthony Davis
Five Keys to Game for Suns
- Sustaining leads
- Playing full 48 minutes
- Playing with pace
- Limiting turnovers
- 1-on-1 defense
Prediction
Suns 120 – Lakers 117
The Suns have come out hot the last two games, but completely fallen apart after doing so. Last time they played the Lakers, they did exactly this, but sustained a big lead throughout the night. Can they replicate that tonight? Not based on what we have seen, but the Suns should be able to learn from their mistakes with a day of rest and figure out what they need to do better. Phoenix had an excellent defensive game plan last game against the Lakers and should keep that pace tonight, but it will be tough depending who is in and out of the lineup.
I think this game features big runs by both sides, who have both been hot shooting the ball as of late, and comes down to the wire. Kevin Durant snaps out of his 3-for-15 shooting slump for 3 the last two games and leads the Suns down the stretch to victory.
Last Meeting (Jan. 11, 2024)
Team Matchup Notes
Here are some stats, notes and everything else to know about the Suns and Lakers before their first matchup of the season (via Suns):
Each team’s stats (via Suns):
Preview: Injury Reports
Lakers have lengthy injury report for tomorrow’s matchup vs. Suns
Preview: Kevin Durant on LeBron James
Kevin Durant: Greatness of LeBron James goes beyond accolades
Preview: Time to Worry with Suns’ 2-Game Skid?
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
