Lakers (19–8) vs. Suns (15–13) | Game 28 of 82

Where to Watch and What Time

📅 Date: Tuesday, Dec. 23

⏰ Tip-off: 6:00 p.m. PST

📍 Location: Mortgage Matchup Center — Phoenix, Arizona

📺 TV: Spectrum SportsNet

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📻 Radio: ESPN LA 710 / 1330 KWKW

Game Preview

The Los Angeles Lakers remain on the road for the fourth straight game and head to Phoenix to face the Suns for the third time this season and second time at the Mortgage Matchup Center.

The series is split 1-1 between the two, with the Lakers coming in with a 19-8 record and the Suns at 15-13. L.A. is coming off a lopsided 103-88 loss to the Clippers that had Luka Dončić leave the game at halftime and not return.

Dončić will be sidelined against the Suns from a lower left leg contusion, but Austin Reaves was upgraded to questionable for the matchup.

The last game between the two, which was in Phoenix a week ago, ended in a two-point Lakers win behind 55 points combined from LeBron James and Dončić despite L.A. shooting 19% from 3.

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The 3-point shooting has still been a major issue for the Lakers as of late—and for most of the season. In their loss to the Clippers, the Lakers shot a season-low 15.8%, making just two 3s in the entire first half.

The Suns are coming off a three-point loss to the Golden State Warriors behind a season-high 38 points from Devin Booker, who has led them in scoring in their last three games.

Phoenix has lost three of its last four games with a 6-8 record at home.

The Opponent and their Top Dogs

Booker (25.6 ppg) and Brooks (21.7 ppg) have led the Suns in scoring this season, with at least one of them leading the team in scoring in 23 of their 28 games.

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Collin Gillespie and Royce O’Neale have been Phoenix’s best snipers from deep, shooting over 40% from 3 this season. Gillespie has made 77 3s this season on 41.2%, while O’Neale has made 79 triples on 40.5%.

Notable Opponent Ranks Among the NBA

The Suns have the 17th-rated (113.7) offense and 12th-rated (113.7) defense in the NBA. Here are some notable (good and meh) rankings of where they sit among the league.

Phoenix has been great at scoring off of teams’ miscues, producing 22.6 points (2nd in the NBA) a game off of opponents’ turnovers. But they have allowed just as many points off of their own miscues, giving up the third most points a game off of turnovers (21.5 points).

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No. 1 in steals (11.1 steals a game)

2nd in deflections (21.8)

21st in scoring (114.3 points a game)

18th FG% in the NBA (46.4%)

13th 3P% in the NBA (36.2%)

Injury Report

Lakers:

After Tuesday’s team practice, coach JJ Redick said Doncic (lower left leg contusion), Austin Reaves, who was a partial participant at practice, and Rui Hachimura are all day-to-day.

Austin Reaves (calf strain): Questionable

Luka Dončić (leg contusion): Out (Day-to-day)

Rui Hachimura (right groin soreness): Out (Day-to-day)

Gabe Vincent (lower back tightness): Out

Suns:

Jalen Green (hamstring): Out

Threads for the Game

The Lakers will wear their gold threads on the road, while the Suns will don their black statement edition uniforms.

Next Matchup

The Lakers will play their next five games at home, starting on Christmas Day against the Houston Rockets.