Starters: Los Angeles Lakers
Starters: Phoenix Suns
Kobe Bryant may be out again, but the Los Angeles Lakers are doing just fine without him. A meeting with the Phoenix Suns may afford them the luxury of resting him again.
With the status of their superstar doubtful, the Lakers attempt to continue their surge and create some breathing room in the Western Conference playoff race against the Suns on Monday night.
Bryant is hampered by a sprained left ankle and an apparent flu, but Los Angeles (36-32) has won both games since he sustained the injury in Wednesday's 96-92 loss at Atlanta. He returned two days later, but exited after 12 minutes and no points in a 99-93 win over Indiana.
The Lakers knew they would be without their star guard Sunday, but they overcame his absence to beat Sacramento 113-102.
Los Angeles is 11-3 since the All-Star break, averaging 105.8 points while hitting 39.2 percent from beyond the arc. That's moved them into eighth in the West, one game ahead of ninth-place Utah and one-half back of Houston.
The Lakers have a chance to pull level with the idle Rockets, and will likely opt to keep the ball moving through Steve Nash if Bryant is out again.
Phoenix is tied with New Orleans for the worst record in the West, and the team's defensive issues were at the forefront Saturday. They surrendered 14 3s en route to a 127-105 loss at Washington.
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