Lakers matchup: 8-1 Phoenix, 7:30 p.m.

November 11th, 2009, 3:42 pm · 6 Comments · posted by KEVIN DING, OCREGISTER.COM

Lakers (6-1) vs. Suns (8-1)
Time: 7:30 p.m. Thursday
Site: Staples Center
TV/radio: FSN, TNT; KSPN/710, KWKW/1330

How they match up:
Lakers: 102.7 points, 97.4 points allowed, 46.5 FG%, 74.5 FT%
Suns: 110.9 points, 105.8 points allowed, 50.2 FG%, 69.2 FT%

Outlook
Andrew Bynum “tweaked” his strained right elbow a few times while scrimmaging Wednesday but just kept right on playing and might be able to log 30 minutes against the Suns. But if he’s rusty from a two-game layoff, tthe Lakers will just go smaller against Phoenix, which plays jump-shooting Channing Frye at center. With Frye (13.6 ppg, 44 3pt%) spreading the floor, Steve Nash has room to create everything again. Phoenix is shooting 47.1 percent on 3-pointers. The Suns don’t have nearly the depth of recent glory seasons, although their renewed run-and-gun style is difficult for regular-season opponents to face.

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J-Dizzle says:

November 11, 2009 at 4:27 pm

Of course its easy to face. Get rebounds and attack their non existant interior. So long as you’re making baskets, not making many mistakes and getting rebounds, then things will work out. Also, slow the pace deliberately on offense to try to lull them. Throw Kobe on Nash as well.

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vish sherman says:

November 11, 2009 at 7:09 pm

If the Lakers play good team defense and rebound the ball they will be fine against the Phoenix Suns. Do not allow easy baskets. Jason Richardson can be guarded by both Kobe and Artest. It should be an interesting game. Lakers should win to-morrow. Mbenga will have another good game even if Bynum plays. Lakers need the shot blocking ability and defense of Mbenga. Bench should contribute as they did in the last game against New Orleans. Go Lakers. Stop the penetration of Steve Nash.

alex avina says:

November 12, 2009 at 7:51 am

just let them play ball and as long as the refs are consistant w/both teams THE LAKERS will be okay….

Charles in Peoria, AZ says:

November 12, 2009 at 11:12 am

Kevin, usually we’re in lock-step, but I have to point out that the Suns’ 2nd unit is very effective this year. Almost all of the relievers have improved, especially Dudley, Amundson and Dragic. They actually sometimes bring more of an effective defensive edge that the 1st unit. In the D’Antoni years, the rotation was usually around 8 players, which was one of their downfalls. But Gentry utilizes his bench effectively, and seems better overall at attacking mismatches and other teams’ weaknesses. Plus the Suns are holding their own on the boards.

November 12, 2009 at 11:42 am

Past Phoenix 2nd unit issues usually always evolved around Leandro Barbosa and his inability to really be an effective passing PG. He’s more of a small fast 2 guard then anything. As far as rebs go though, since they are a jump shooting team, they are prone to long rebounds which typically favors the offense. Then again, most teams including Phoenix don’t have the sheer size and athleticism the Lakers do. Good luck to Phoenix getting this same opportunities.

November 12, 2009 at 11:43 am

the same*