The Lakers (11-2) conclude their road trip in Phoenix where they will take on the Suns (5-6) on Sunday. It’s the first head-to-head matchup of the season between Pacific Division foes.
Start time and TV schedule
Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns
When: 1 p.m. PT, Nov. 15
Where: Mortgage Matchup Center
Watch: Spectrum Sportsnet
The first matchup between the Lakers and Suns will feature two teams coming in with lots of momentum. Los Angeles has won seven straight games while Phoenix caught fire last week by nabbing four of their
last five.
The Suns also have their superstar firepower in Devin Booker, who is playing very well as of late and is averaging 25.5. points, 2.5 rebounds and five assists per game this season. His matchup against long-time rival Luka Dončić — who is obviously playing out of this world right now — will take center stage.
Unfortunately, Austin Reaves will not be able to join Dončić since he’s recovering from a heel bruise. This then presents another challenge for the Lakers in how to navigate without their second-best player for the time being.
For the Lakers to come away with a win, they’ll need to do a few things to keep the Suns in check.
Let Dončić cook Booker
There’s no doubt that Luka is the best player on either team in this matchup but the pressure on him increases with Austin out of the lineup. While Dončić will shoulder much of the offensive load, the Lakers’ defense will need to step up in containing Booker. That’s where Matisse Thybulle, Quentin Grimes and even Colin Sexton come in. The goal is to make sure Booker doesn’t get into rhythm the way he has over the last few games.
Expose the Suns’ flaws
You’d think that there is no worse rebounding team than the Lakers, but the Suns rank dead last in the league in the category. One reason Phoenix struggles on the boards is its lack of frontcourt size, and that’s an area Walker Kessler needs to exploit. The Suns counter by attempting to win the 50-50 balls and forcing turnovers, which the Lakers need to do a better job of.
Note that Phoenix also has the 26th-best defense in the league, so it’ll be ideal for the Lakers’ offense to overwhelm the Suns right off the bat. Hopefully the Lakers’ supporting cast and bench can outplay the likes of Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Luke Kennard, among others.
Don’t let the Suns get hot
Given their defensive shortcomings, the Suns’ best path to winning games is often to simply outshoot their opponents. While it’s difficult to account for an unusually hot shooting game, the Lakers’ defense must make sure the Suns don’t get comfortable and find their rhythm. The Lakers’ defense can’t be nonexistent in this one.
Hopefully, much like their victory over the Hawks without Reaves, the Lakers can control the pace and dictate the momentum throughout this game. It won’t be a walk in the park but the Lakers have shown that they’re a team that can overcome obstacles. Let’s see if they can do that and extend their winning streak to eight on Sunday.
Notes and Updates
- For the Lakers’ injury report, Reaves (left heel bruise) and Cameron Carr (illness) are out.
- Bronny James (illness), Adou Thiero (left ankle sprain) and Colin Sexton (right orbital laceration) is questionable.
- As for the Suns, Mark Williams (left shoulder surgery) is out.
You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.
