The Lakers have won all three meetings against the Suns by double digits, most recently a 116-102 win in Los Angeles on Jan. 27.
Milwaukee, the top team in the Eastern Conference, didn't dominate Los Angeles, which even led by two points with 2 1/2 minutes left before fading. The loss dropped the Lakers 3 1/2 games back of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference with 20 games left.
Los Angeles has seen improvement in some areas of its game, however.
The Lakers rank 28th in the NBA at 15.8 turnovers per game, but they finished in single digits for the second straight game.
"I've been very pleased with the way our team is playing, and turnovers have gotten a lot better the last two games," Lakers coach Luke Walton said after the loss to Milwaukee.
The Suns are coming off a 130-116 home loss Friday night to the New Orleans Pelicans, ending their chance of producing just their second winning streak of the season. Phoenix won four straight from Dec. 13-19 but otherwise hasn't captured back-to-back games.
Phoenix led by as many as 11 points in the first half and never trailed before the Pelicans outscored the Suns 38-27 in the third. The result was Phoenix's 18th loss in the past 19 games. The Suns snapped their 17-game losing streak with a 124-121 win at Miami on Monday.
The Lakers have had a lot more success in the second half of back-to-back games this season, winning six of nine, while the Suns have lost all nine.
Phoenix leading scorer Devin Booker told reporters that the Suns need to play "the opposite" of how they played against the Pelicans.
"We have to bring it. I think we will," Booker said. "We're a team that feeds off energy, and I think there's going to be a lot more energy in the building (Saturday), and I think we'll be ready to go."
Suns reserve guard Troy Daniels has been shooting the ball well lately. He came into the week averaging 5.3 points, but he scored 14 at Miami and 15 against the Pelicans. He is 7-for-9 from 3-point range in the past two games.
Rookie Deandre Ayton continues to perform at a high level for Phoenix, averaging 16.4 points and 10.1 rebounds. He finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and three steals in the loss to New Orleans.
Phoenix's three other rookies aren't making as much of an impact. Mikal Bridges has scored in double figures only once in his past nine games. De'Anthony Melton is still trying to get back up to speed after missing 10 games with an ankle injury, and Elie Okobo has not played in the past three games.
Joined: 24 Dec 2007 Posts: 36001 Location: Santa Clarita, CA (Hell) ->>>>>Ithaca, NY -≥≥≥≥≥Berkeley, CA
Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2019 9:52 am Post subject:
Must win IMO. If we lose this then we're almost certainly out of the playoffs. _________________ Damian Lillard shatters Dwight Coward's championship dreams:
Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Posts: 22875 Location: La Jolla, San Diego
Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2019 10:01 am Post subject:
CandyCanes wrote:
Must win IMO. If we lose this then we're almost certainly out of the playoffs.
Either scenario ain't bad. You lose to the Suns and it's the nail in the coffin. I mean why even bother going forward. Sit out Lebron and get as many ping pong balls as you can.
Phoenix is talented, but they are as dysfunctional as an organization can get. They need a management or locale change.
I hope Luke uses this game to find a defensive rotation that works. Offense isn't really the issue. Maybe give Jonathan Simmons some burn at the 5 spot. Players will be tired. Let's see what Mo can do in the pick and pop setting.
Must win IMO. If we lose this then we're almost certainly out of the playoffs.
Either scenario ain't bad. You lose to the Suns and it's the nail in the coffin. I mean why even bother going forward. Sit out Lebron and get as many ping pong balls as you can.
Part of me wants to call it and tank. Everyone knew this was gonna be a throw away season but I think no one expected us to miss the playoffs. This sucks.
Some potential stats likely to happen in Phoenix tonight: LeBron is 4 field goals shy of passing Kobe (11,719) for fifth all-time. Meanwhile, Rajon Rondo is 2 assists from passing Deron Williams (6,819) for 20th all-time.
Joined: 21 Feb 2017 Posts: 5149 Location: Golden Gate Fields trying for the Trifecta
Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2019 5:29 pm Post subject:
The pattern has been tanking teams come out like the 72-10 bulls. Lakers make sure a scrub gets paid and we lose. We will see if it changes tonight. _________________ "WEARESUCK"
Did anyone catch that stat last night about Giannis being number one in the number of times he drove to the basket in 5 dribbles or less...followed by BI at number 2 and Bron at number 3
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