Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game Preview: Let's Make it a Rivalry

by East Bay Ray on Feb 19, 2012 2:11 PM MST

After losing in LA Friday night to drop to 12-19, the Suns get another crack at the Lakers in Phoenix tonight. Struggling teams who want to get well always have a team to play in the Suns, and Friday night's game had the LA Times celebrating the Lakers improvement on offense as they scored a season-high 111 points led by Kobe Bryant's 36. The Lakers' bench, also a problem area for them, came to life with 34 points.

As for the Suns, they're simply not a good basketball team, having lost 5 of their last 6 games and languishing in the #13 spot in the West. The reasons are many:

Poor bench play, especially at point guard.
Improved, but still below average defense.
Subpar spot up shooting from wing players.
Lack of go-to plays/players in crunch time.

That list isn't comprehensive but it's enough to start with. For the Suns to win games against quality opponents will take all the breaks falling their way and lots of open outside shots to fall. We could say that the Suns have a puncher's chance, but their punching abilities are more on the welterweight level now, as opposed to the Mike Tyson knockouts this team used to be able to deliver.

To be a rivalry, each team has to win from time to time, right? How about tonight, Suns?

The last time the Suns beat the Lakers was November 14, 2010. Jason Richardson led the way with 30 points, Hedo Turkoglu chipped in 17, Channing Frye hit for 20 off the bench and the Suns made 22-40 3-point shots in a 121-116 win. The win gave the Suns a winning record (what's that??) at 5-4 and provided one of the few high points of last season.

Richardson and Turkoglu are gone, of course, and Frye's shooting has run hot and cold this season but, as Alex astutely noted, the Suns need to improve their spot up shooting to have a chance to win games. To win tonight, they'll need big performances from Jared Dudley, Michael Redd, Frye, Grant Hill and even Shannon Brown. Those players combined for 4-18 3-point shooting in the Suns 111-99 loss Friday night.

The Lakers are still all Kobe, all the time and Grant Hill will be working hard on defense to at least make it difficult for him. He'll get his points anyway, but the Suns held Lakers big men Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol to only 27 points combined on Friday and it will be an achievement if they can replicate that.

Marcin Gortat played another strong game Friday night with 21 points and 16 rebounds. Nash and Gortat's pick and roll game is working just fine but the Suns have too many other flaws for it to carry them to wins. What fluky, freak occurrence can the Suns get to pull out a win tonight? A terrible Kobe shooting performance? An explosive scoring night from Shannon Brown? A Robin Lopez sighting?

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
Kobe Bryant	30	38.2	10.5	23.9	44.0	1.4	4.9	29.5	6.4	7.6	84.2	1.2	4.6	5.9	5.0	3.7	1.2	0.3	2.0	28.9
Pau Gasol	30	37.0	6.8	13.8	49.5	0.1	0.5	21.4	2.8	3.6	78.7	3.2	7.4	10.6	3.0	1.8	0.5	1.3	2.0	16.6
Andrew Bynum	26	34.7	6.7	12.2	54.7	0.0	0.1	0.0	3.0	5.2	59.0	3.4	9.2	12.6	1.3	2.5	0.5	2.0	2.1	16.3
Matt Barnes	28	21.9	2.5	5.4	46.1	0.4	1.5	26.2	1.9	2.4	81.8	1.4	3.3	4.7	1.6	1.3	0.6	0.8	2.8	7.3
Steve Blake	17	25.5	2.5	6.8	37.4	1.3	4.1	31.9	0.4	0.6	63.6	0.2	1.8	2.0	3.1	1.4	0.6	0.0	1.4	6.8
Derek Fisher	30	25.7	2.1	5.7	36.5	0.4	1.5	26.7	0.8	1.0	79.3	0.2	1.9	2.0	3.6	1.2	0.9	0.1	2.0	5.3
Metta World Peace	29	22.7	1.9	5.6	33.5	0.4	2.2	20.6	0.7	1.3	51.4	0.6	2.0	2.6	1.8	1.1	0.8	0.3	1.7	4.8
Andrew Goudelock	22	11.7	1.9	4.2	44.1	0.7	1.8	41.0	0.4	0.4	100.0	0.2	0.6	0.8	0.5	0.7	0.1	0.0	0.8	4.8
Troy Murphy	27	18.9	1.5	3.4	44.6	0.7	1.6	44.2	0.1	0.3	57.1	0.8	3.0	3.7	1.1	0.6	0.4	0.3	2.1	3.9
Darius Morris	10	13.0	1.2	2.4	50.0	0.3	0.5	60.0	0.6	0.9	66.7	0.2	1.0	1.2	1.2	1.1	0.2	0.0	1.3	3.3
Josh McRoberts	18	15.6	1.1	2.2	51.3	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.5	0.9	52.9	1.1	2.5	3.6	1.1	0.8	0.4	0.6	2.1	2.7
Devin Ebanks	12	12.5	0.8	2.1	40.0	0.0	0.2	0.0	1.0	1.5	66.7	0.9	1.1	2.0	0.5	0.7	0.3	0.3	1.4	2.7
Jason Kapono	21	11.0	0.9	2.3	39.6	0.4	1.1	33.3	0.1	0.1	100.0	0.1	0.4	0.5	0.4	0.3	0.1	0.0	0.7	2.3
Luke Walton	6	9.0	0.8	2.2	38.5	0.0	0.7	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.8	1.2	2.0	0.8	0.2	0.2	0.0	1.3	1.7

Bill Cartwright Tribute at USF

Suns assistant coach Bill Cartwright was honored at the University of San Francisco versus Gonzaga game in SF last night. The leading scorer in USF history was in attendance at War Memorial Gym, fans wore replica #24 Cartwright jerseys, and the Dons beat a ranked Gonzaga team in a thrilling 66-65 upset. USF's other legendary basketball alum? BIll Russell.

Next Game

Los Angeles Lakers
@ Phoenix Suns

Sunday, Feb 19, 2012, 6:00 PM MST
US Airways Center

Game Recap: Phoenix Suns Lose Battle To Kobe Bryant, But Have Already Won The War

posted by Alex Laugan 1 day ago

128 comments | 5 recs

Complete Coverage >

Tweet Comment 35 comments | 1 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

We need this one...

’Nuff said.

by Bostonian Suns Fan on Feb 19, 2012 2:19 PM MST reply actions

Yeah........

The last time the Suns beat the Lakers was November 14, 2010

That really pisses me off haha.

"If Gortat pulls off a real Dream Shake in-game this year I will shave my head.
Mark my words." Piotr Szczesniak 12/12/11 2:12 PM
Cardinals, Suns, D-backs for life!

by Airwave on Feb 19, 2012 2:43 PM MST up reply actions

Wow, I thought it would be like April 2007

"I don't lift weights because they are heavy, and I don't run because it makes me tired." - Charles Barkley

by Suns R Us on Feb 19, 2012 4:27 PM MST up reply actions

...In a place far, far away...

and a time long, long, ago…

Let's do this...!

by Daryl Ray on Feb 19, 2012 5:09 PM MST up reply actions

BEAT THESE FUCKERS.

Go Suns!

Just remember what ol' Jack Burton does when the earth quakes, and the poison arrows fall from the sky, and the pillars of Heaven shake. Yeah, Jack Burton just looks that big ol' storm right square in the eye and he says, "Give me your best shot, pal. I can take it."

~Jack Burton, "Big Trouble in Little China"

by u_must_chill on Feb 19, 2012 2:55 PM MST reply actions

Well spoken...

and definitely quoteable…

Let's do this...!

by Daryl Ray on Feb 19, 2012 5:10 PM MST up reply actions

How about...

Frye 6-9, Dudley 5-6, Redd 4-4 from 3pt. Lopez 4 blk 18 pts, & Gortat getting 30 pts & 20 rebs. Pipe dream? Probably, but without Faith…Miracles rarely happen. I have Faith in the Suns, ever since I became a fan. Always Have….Always Will!

by Stanley B on Feb 19, 2012 3:12 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

don't forget 22 assists for nash, plus him giving kobe a hug during pre-game handshakes, then pulling him close and whispering in his ear:

“i’ve still got two MVP trophies to your one.”

~Jack Burton, "Big Trouble in Little China"

by u_must_chill on Feb 19, 2012 3:14 PM MST up reply actions

Sweet!

He should add " I would’ve had three but everyone felt sorry for you". Hahaha

by Stanley B on Feb 19, 2012 3:18 PM MST up reply actions

and: "now that your ex-wife and i are both single, i'm totallly gonna date her."

~Jack Burton, "Big Trouble in Little China"

by u_must_chill on Feb 19, 2012 3:19 PM MST up reply actions

BTW...

Nice Preview, I can hardly wait. I get to watch tonight’s game without recording it, big plus! (maybe)

by Stanley B on Feb 19, 2012 3:15 PM MST up reply actions

Nice! I seem to remember you are in Sacramento?

Did you get to see the Suns/Kings game there?

Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo

by East Bay Ray on Feb 19, 2012 3:20 PM MST up reply actions

I recorded it

and watched it when I got home. I had a Date. (priorities) I won tickets to Kings/Thunder game a couple nights earlier I gave them to a Kings fan buddy. I win tickets from work for a game on a night that I had to work. Ironic.

by Stanley B on Feb 19, 2012 3:30 PM MST up reply actions

Lakers are only 3 pt. favorites

I wish I had as much confidence in Suns at home.

by oLLiE Boombayay on Feb 19, 2012 3:25 PM MST reply actions

Trivia that may only interest me.

I was at that USF game last night. The player I was eager to see was Gonzaga PG Kevin Pangos, since I have a thing for sharpshooting Canadian guards, but he had a rough go of it as pressure defense from the Dons harassed him into 2-7 shooting, 3 turnovers and only 1 assist.

USF’s point guard was something to see though. As the Gonzaga fans behind me were calling him, “Boy Band Point Guard”.

Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo

by East Bay Ray on Feb 19, 2012 3:27 PM MST reply actions

i'm a bit weary of point guards from gonzaga

whatever happened to dan dickau?

~Jack Burton, "Big Trouble in Little China"

by u_must_chill on Feb 19, 2012 3:29 PM MST up reply actions

Long career as a scrub for Dickau. He's now retired.

John Stockton’s son David also plays point for Gonzaga.

Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo

by East Bay Ray on Feb 19, 2012 3:33 PM MST up reply actions

also works as player development for the Blazers

which, ironically, probably explains a lot

by poorwebguy on Feb 19, 2012 4:05 PM MST up reply actions

If he got some Tats,

that would stop. Then they’d call him “Vanilla Point”.

by Stanley B on Feb 19, 2012 3:33 PM MST up reply actions

No thanks, we have enough players that suck already.

"I don't lift weights because they are heavy, and I don't run because it makes me tired." - Charles Barkley

by Suns R Us on Feb 19, 2012 4:17 PM MST up reply actions

My personal checklist for Suns in a lost season...

Beat Knicks: Check

Beat Celtics: Check

Beat Blazers: Check

Beat Spurs: 0-1

Beat Lakers: 0-2

Let’s do this Suns! Lakers are Fakers on the road!

by oLLiE Boombayay on Feb 19, 2012 3:34 PM MST reply actions

Hey, we just played these guys, what the crap!

Don't trade Dudley!

by Beavis 25 on Feb 19, 2012 3:41 PM MST reply actions

The pathetic part..

3 nationally televised games on a Sunday and Suns/Lakers isn’t one of them.

by oLLiE Boombayay on Feb 19, 2012 3:46 PM MST up reply actions

Do you honestly want to listen to Jon Barry commentate over our games?

Just because Steve Nash has that "dirty hipster" look doesn't mean he's in need of a shower. Steve Nash bathes in the tears of his victims on a nightly basis.

Mark of a Beast, baby. Mark of a Beast.

by NashMV3 on Feb 19, 2012 3:48 PM MST up reply actions

Quite possibly the worst of the national guys

I prefer tv mute with Al Mcoy on radio

by oLLiE Boombayay on Feb 19, 2012 3:50 PM MST up reply actions

barry is a jerk

and he’s incredibly arrogant for a guy who, even in his prime, was a mediocre player at best.

~Jack Burton, "Big Trouble in Little China"

by u_must_chill on Feb 19, 2012 3:57 PM MST up reply actions

He studied at ...

The Tim Legler school of Journalism

by oLLiE Boombayay on Feb 19, 2012 4:19 PM MST up reply actions

Well,

I expect a loss.

"I don't lift weights because they are heavy, and I don't run because it makes me tired." - Charles Barkley

by Suns R Us on Feb 19, 2012 4:14 PM MST reply actions

I expect Brown to go one on one with Kobe and ~~win~~ have fun.

Don't trade Dudley!

by Beavis 25 on Feb 19, 2012 4:47 PM MST up reply actions

Hmmm...lessee what becomes of that matchup...

Kobe: 12-21 including 3-7 from three for 38ptsand several buzzer beaters…
Shannon 1-12 including 0-6 from downtown for 6 points plus a couple of facepalms

damn, we may be on the wrong side of this deal…

Let's do this...!

by Daryl Ray on Feb 19, 2012 5:13 PM MST up reply actions

win the second quarter

even if it means using karate.

~Jack Burton, "Big Trouble in Little China"

by u_must_chill on Feb 19, 2012 4:40 PM MST reply actions

Since we've been playing the Lakers so much lately

Maybe we should just pretend like this is our playoff series and that every game afterwords is just a meaningless exhibition to hold us over until the draft?

We can think of it as a long preseason or the summer league starting early.

Don't trade Dudley!

by Beavis 25 on Feb 19, 2012 4:52 PM MST reply actions