RealGM

RIVALRY GAME
8-1
VERSES
6-1

ARENA

TIME 7:30PM
TV:







SERIES HISTORY
This game will mark the 210th time the Suns and Lakers have clashed.The Lakers lead the series 122-87, the Lakers have won 6 of the last 8 games and 3 of the last 4 at home against the Suns. The Lakers are 14-6 against the Suns all-time at STAPLES Center.


IMPLICATIONS
Technically the Suns are the conference leaders by way of having a 3-0 record in conference play. The Lakers are 5-1 in conference play. The winner will take the conference lead.

RECENT NEWS
The Suns come to Los Angeles with a 5-1 road record and recently completed a east coast trip where they went 4-1, winning their last game against the Sixers 119-115. On Wednesday the Suns defeated the Hornets 124-104 at Phoenix.

The Lakers come into this game after dismantling the Hornets 104-88, the Lakers have also won 5 straight. This may also be the first game of the season where the Lakers unveil their "true" starting lineup.

GAME KEYS
Rebounding will be the key for the Lakers to control this game, the Suns front line is undersized compared to the Lakers front line. The Lakers are currently the 7th best rebounding team overall in the league, while the Suns are ranked 13th.

Forcing the Suns to turn the ball over will also play into the Lakers hands. The Lakers lead the league in steals at an average of 10.1 per game.

The Suns are 1st in the league in 3pt shooting percentage, shooting a blazing .470. But the Lakers are 4th defensively in 3pt percentage allowed, only surrendering .302 league wide. The Suns allow their opponents to shoot .412. If the Lakers limit their 3pt shooting, rebound and turn them over they should win the game. The Lakers are 3rd in the league in forced turnovers at 18.5 a game.

The Lakers rank 7th in the league in offensive rebounding at 13.0 a game, the Suns are ranked 24th with 9.9 a game.

The Suns want to play at a fast pace so them turning the ball over is a given. The Lakers must pound the ball inside and punish the smaller Suns in the paint. Bynum plus Kobe,LO and Ron give the Lakers 4 dominate post threats to punish the Suns with. I suspect Shannon Brown will play a huge role in helping out on slowing Steve Nash, Brown's bigger frame and decent speed should keep Nash in control.

The Laker bench is beginning to slowly show signs of life, LO going back to infuse the 2nd unit will be a big help.

Bottom line is the Lakers are the more superior team talent wise, if the game keys are met the Lakers will dispose of the Suns.

Famous Quote
If you're not making mistakes, then you're not doing anything. I'm positive that a doer makes mistakes.
Coach John Wooden

please have gasol and bynum back, the suns' roster is prime for some in the paint domination.

A full healthy roster, I'm feeling good.

solid GT, deep..

i didnt know the lakers LED the nba in steals per game?

anyway, i hope we can get gasol to slow down amare a bit...we all know amare cant do much on gasol in return...bynum on the other hand can take his time, cuz im likin' what THE BIG BANGA is bringin' to the hardwood right now.

i think the lakers got this one on lock

just read that DEEP has single-handedly ignited a dormant lakers/suns rivarly. lakers better win, lol.

dcash4 wrote:just read that DEEP has single-handedly ignited a dormant lakers/suns rivarly. lakers better win, lol.

Hey DC4, you know I can handle it.............I'm built for that stuff!

^

bring them on... they got fake rivalry hustle.

This will be Suns fans on Thursday night around 7:15PM..............

DEEP- exelellent thread. best one so far.

I thought Suns were leading the Lakers because they have won more road games and not because of 1 conference loss, but I sjut could be wrong.

Go Lakers!

Another one of those would be nice. Both Gasol and Bynum will be back for this one? I wonder if there will be any "chemistry" issues. Defensively we should be able to shut their FC down, but Nash is going to do his damage and so will their shooters. It's good to see the Suns back to being an above average team as I really want to see us thrash them in the playoffs.

Good game thread Deep.

This should be a great game. Looking forward for this game

If our two bigs are ready to go, I look forward to a long night of taking Stoudamire's and Chandler's skinny asses down into the paint for some serious domination.

You mean Frye's skinny ass?

My bad -- I get my malnourished, jump-shooting centers mixed up.

Sedale Threatt wrote:My bad -- I get my malnourished, jump-shooting centers mixed up.

Yeah it would help if dude threw down a steak once in a while. Maybe Ron can twitter somebody to hook him up with a nice meal when he hits town!

has anyone heard any solid word on if pau or bynasouresrex or both will be back for this game.. I've only heard speculation.

Suns play 2 games between now and then and Laker game is back to back while L.A. has 3 days off... Interesting scheduling. However i think we make a game of it.

^^ oh I think so, depending on how integrated Pau is, if Pau and Drew are back etc... We usually keep even bad teams in games with us, let alone teams with some confidence.

How much is kobe going for tonight guys?