Game 68: Phoenix Suns (48-19) @ Los Angeles Lakers (37-30) l Sunday l 7:00pm l NBATV l BSAZ

[SunsRback4Good]

Who: Phoenix Suns @ Los Angeles Lakers

When: Sunday, May 9th @ 7:00pm (10:00ET), NBATV, BSAZ

Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA








Phoenix Suns starting lineup:

C- Ayton

F- Crowder

F- Bridges

G- Booker

G- CP3



Reserves: Cam/Kaminsky/Saric/Payne/Carter






Los Angeles Lakers starting lineup:



C- Drummond

F- Davis

F- Kuzma

G- Caldwell-Pope

G- Caruso



Reserves: McLemore/Morris/Gasol/Harrell/Matthews


Good luck charm brought to you by jiffyLUBE

[SunsRback4Good]

My birthday is on the 9th, will be a good b-day present if we beat this guys. Go Suns!!!

[Calvin Klein]

Is there ANY chance we "take it easy" in this game? At this point, I don't think there's any point in doing that and we should be trying to win every game but who knows...winning would basically guarantee a play in spot for the lakers. I was hoping for a stress free last week of the regular season but it's not looking likely

[WeekapaugGroove]

Is there ANY chance we "take it easy" in this game? At this point, I don't think there's any point in doing that and we should be trying to win every game but who knows...winning would basically guarantee a play in spot for the lakers. I was hoping for a stress free last week of the regular season but it's not looking likely

Not this game, losing to the Lakers helps them move to 6 BUT puts the suns in real danger of 3rd. The Clips schedule is super soft, I doubt they lose again.

Now if they beat LA and were open to tanking to 3rd (I highly doubt the suns will) then the game to rest guys would be Portland. Let them win and solidify their lead on LA.

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[Jarlaxle0204]

Destroy the Lakers. Send them to the 9/10 seed.

[starbosa10]

Just keep winning and see what happens

[Barkley6]

Is there ANY chance we "take it easy" in this game? At this point, I don't think there's any point in doing that and we should be trying to win every game but who knows...winning would basically guarantee a play in spot for the lakers. I was hoping for a stress free last week of the regular season but it's not looking likely

Just gotta keep winning. This is a big test for us as we'll be facing the most healthy Lakers team we've seen this season. If we win that's a HUGE confidence boost if and when we play them in the playoffs. Also, the play in games are going to be kind of wild, and it kind of has that 'anything can happen' feel. Could GSW beat LA? Over 7 games? I doubt it. But in a one off? Maybe.

[Christine-In-AZ]

Rest Paul & Booker

Throw Jalen Smith into the fire for at least 18...20 minutes

Repeat this in one of the other remaining games. Maybe all the games in terms of Smith burn time

[Slim Charless]

Rest Paul & Booker

Throw Jalen Smith into the fire for at least 18...20 minutes

Repeat this in one of the other remaining games. Maybe all the games in terms of Smith burn time

I don't see them resting anyone till 1 of those SAS games. Hopefully that's who we'll get in the 1st round too.

Is Bron still gonna be out for this anyone know for sure?

[insomniac00]

Is anyone else annoyed that the Suns reward for finishing first or second might be the Lakers in round one? And of course they'll get fully healthy and start clicking just in time for the playoffs, because Suns luck.

[Calvin Klein]

Rest Paul & Booker

Throw Jalen Smith into the fire for at least 18...20 minutes

Repeat this in one of the other remaining games. Maybe all the games in terms of Smith burn time

I don't see them resting anyone till 1 of those SAS games. Hopefully that's who we'll get in the 1st round too.

Is Bron still gonna be out for this anyone know for sure?

Last I heard he was supposed to be out until tuesday or wednesday, but who knows. We don't even know why he is not playing.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Rest Paul & Booker

Throw Jalen Smith into the fire for at least 18...20 minutes

Repeat this in one of the other remaining games. Maybe all the games in terms of Smith burn time

I don't see them resting anyone till 1 of those SAS games. Hopefully that's who we'll get in the 1st round too.

Is Bron still gonna be out for this anyone know for sure?

Last I heard he was supposed to be out until tuesday or wednesday, but who knows. We don't even know why he is not playing.

High ankle sprains are a bitch.

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[Saberestar]

Is anyone else annoyed that the Suns reward for finishing first or second might be the Lakers in round one? And of course they'll get fully healthy and start clicking just in time for the playoffs, because Suns luck.

Yeah, I would prefer anyone but the Lakers and Clippers.

Jazz and Nuggets are easier opponents than the Lakers, no doubt about it.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Is anyone else annoyed that the Suns reward for finishing first or second might be the Lakers in round one? And of course they'll get fully healthy and start clicking just in time for the playoffs, because Suns luck.

It is of course somewhat "par for the course" in regards to our luck overall. But upon reflection, We really did put ourselves in this position with all the games that we gave away throughout the season due to playing down to lesser teams, being overly confident at times, playing uninspired basketball, And of course a modicum of those losses also do fall on Monty for poor in game management of rotations (holding the starters out to long at times, Allowing oppositional runs and momentum fostered), Not utilizing full bench depth?? Why have Galloway/ Moore not been utilized much if at all? And not playing through the hot hand at times situationally.

Yet regardless, We have achieved our primary goal of making the playoffs in excess. So there's reason to be content there. We do still However need to find our aggression and intensity as we end the season, If we seriously intend to not fall in the first round. Too often we lack that killer instinct, play passively still, And let other teams build confidence and momentum in trading baskets and allowing runs. The real playoff teams will expose these weaknesses severely. We need to play with a chip on our shoulders, not get complacent with our current position, And play with sustained intensity and desire to advance. Playing the Flakers at full strength would be the true measure of our progress towards relevance and viability.

[WeekapaugGroove]

I don't want to play the Lakers round 1. But if I had to point out some silver linings I'd say round 1 would be their best shot to actually beat them before they get healthier and in a grove. I also kind of like that the suns would be the underdog and have a little no one believes in us chip on their shoulder. I think it's easier for younger teams to be the hunter than the hunted with expectations.

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[insomniac00]

Is anyone else annoyed that the Suns reward for finishing first or second might be the Lakers in round one? And of course they'll get fully healthy and start clicking just in time for the playoffs, because Suns luck.

It is of course somewhat "par for the course" in regards to our luck overall. But upon reflection, We really did put ourselves in this position with all the games that we gave away throughout the season due to playing down to lesser teams, being overly confident at times, playing uninspired basketball, And of course a modicum of those losses also do fall on Monty for poor in game management of rotations (holding the starters out to long at times, Allowing oppositional runs and momentum fostered), Not utilizing full bench depth?? Why have Galloway/ Moore not been utilized much if at all? And not playing through the hot hand at times situationally.

Yet regardless, We have achieved our primary goal of making the playoffs in excess. So there's reason to be content there. We do still However need to find our aggression and intensity as we end the season, If we seriously intend to not fall in the first round. Too often we lack that killer instinct, play passively still, And let other teams build confidence and momentum in trading baskets and allowing runs. The real playoff teams will expose these weaknesses severely. We need to play with a chip on our shoulders, not get complacent with our current position, And play with sustained intensity and desire to advance. Playing the Flakers at full strength would be the true measure of our progress towards relevance and viability.

I get what you're saying, but every team plays down to lesser teams at some point and loses games they shouldn't. The Suns have a better record than everyone but Utah so they have showed up night in and night out more than others.

Yet teams that had far more off nights than Phoenix are not going to draw the friggin Lakers if this goes how I think it's going to go.

I know, no use crying about it and if the Suns are for real they'll beat them. Just sucks that every time this team is good there's always something flukish that makes things harder.

[Slim Charless]

Is anyone else annoyed that the Suns reward for finishing first or second might be the Lakers in round one? And of course they'll get fully healthy and start clicking just in time for the playoffs, because Suns luck.

It is of course somewhat "par for the course" in regards to our luck overall. But upon reflection, We really did put ourselves in this position with all the games that we gave away throughout the season due to playing down to lesser teams, being overly confident at times, playing uninspired basketball, And of course a modicum of those losses also do fall on Monty for poor in game management of rotations (holding the starters out to long at times, Allowing oppositional runs and momentum fostered), Not utilizing full bench depth?? Why have Galloway/ Moore not been utilized much if at all? And not playing through the hot hand at times situationally.

Yet regardless, We have achieved our primary goal of making the playoffs in excess. So there's reason to be content there. We do still However need to find our aggression and intensity as we end the season, If we seriously intend to not fall in the first round. Too often we lack that killer instinct, play passively still, And let other teams build confidence and momentum in trading baskets and allowing runs. The real playoff teams will expose these weaknesses severely. We need to play with a chip on our shoulders, not get complacent with our current position, And play with sustained intensity and desire to advance. Playing the Flakers at full strength would be the true measure of our progress towards relevance and viability.

I get what you're saying, but every team plays down to lesser teams at some point and loses games they shouldn't. The Suns have a better record than everyone but Utah so they have showed up night in and night out more than others.

Yet teams that had far more off nights than Phoenix are not going to draw the friggin Lakers if this goes how I think it's going to go.

I know, no use crying about it and if the Suns are for real they'll beat them. Just sucks that every time this team is good there's always something flukish that makes things harder.

There's still a chance that we can take #1 from Utah. Mitchell is out this whole week. We only need them to slip up once as I think (?) as we have the tie breaker.

LAL can also still finish 6th, though I'm sure league would do everything possible to avoid a match with the clips in rd 1 for them. I still think we can get top seed and meet SAS/Dubs in the first rd.

[WeekapaugGroove]

It is of course somewhat "par for the course" in regards to our luck overall. But upon reflection, We really did put ourselves in this position with all the games that we gave away throughout the season due to playing down to lesser teams, being overly confident at times, playing uninspired basketball, And of course a modicum of those losses also do fall on Monty for poor in game management of rotations (holding the starters out to long at times, Allowing oppositional runs and momentum fostered), Not utilizing full bench depth?? Why have Galloway/ Moore not been utilized much if at all? And not playing through the hot hand at times situationally.

Yet regardless, We have achieved our primary goal of making the playoffs in excess. So there's reason to be content there. We do still However need to find our aggression and intensity as we end the season, If we seriously intend to not fall in the first round. Too often we lack that killer instinct, play passively still, And let other teams build confidence and momentum in trading baskets and allowing runs. The real playoff teams will expose these weaknesses severely. We need to play with a chip on our shoulders, not get complacent with our current position, And play with sustained intensity and desire to advance. Playing the Flakers at full strength would be the true measure of our progress towards relevance and viability.

I get what you're saying, but every team plays down to lesser teams at some point and loses games they shouldn't. The Suns have a better record than everyone but Utah so they have showed up night in and night out more than others.

Yet teams that had far more off nights than Phoenix are not going to draw the friggin Lakers if this goes how I think it's going to go.

I know, no use crying about it and if the Suns are for real they'll beat them. Just sucks that every time this team is good there's always something flukish that makes things harder.

There's still a chance that we can take #1 from Utah. Mitchell is out this whole week. We only need them to slip up once as I think (?) as we have the tie breaker.

LAL can also still finish 6th, though I'm sure league would do everything possible to avoid a match with the clips in rd 1 for them. I still think we can get top seed and meet SAS/Dubs in the first rd.

If the suns win tonight it will be virtually impossible for the Lakers to finish anywhere but 7th. They would basically need to win out and Portland would have to lose out.

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[Blonde]

I’ve spent the last 10 years aggressively rooting against Lebron in the playoffs. Now that the Suns are back it almost seems poetic that he’ll be facing us in the first round. I’m not going to pretend like I’m not pissed off about it. I’d rather face anyone else out west (Clippers maybe the exception). Even with how well we’ve played this year I don’t like our chances of beating LAL in 7 games. That said, LAL will have to beat GSW in the play in game first.

[ducler]

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