RIVALRY GAME 
8-1VERSES
6-1ARENA
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
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This will be Suns fans on Thursday night around 7:15PM.............. 
