It’s April 7, 2012 and the (35-21) Los Angeles Lakers are in the desert to play the (28-27) Phoenix Suns. As well as dealing with the 90-degree weather, they’re looking to bounce back from last night’s loss against the Houston Rockets, who snapped L.A.’s four-game winning streak by handing them a 112-107 loss.
Although the loss was disappointing, the way the Lakers have performed defensively lately, the outcome should not be a total shock. They have showed that they can be a solid defensive team. Earlier in the year, they were one of the top three defensive teams in the NBA, allowing just 91 points per game. However, in their last 15 games, the purple and gold are allowing an average of 100.2 points per game.
Against the Suns, it is imperative that L.A. shooting guard Kobe Bryant, the leader of the team, pull teammate Andrew Bynum aside and inform him that he is an integral part of this team; that he will receive his touches and that the Lakers are at their best with him on the floor.
Regarding Bynum and his transgressions… the consensus has been that he is immature or that he needs to find a balance. There is some truth in those statements but the fact of the matter is that he is a seven-year veteran that is being defiant. There is no need to treat a 25-year old like a teenager.
Bynum has developed into a dominant force. He is an anchor on the defense and the number two scoring option on the team, capable of carrying it… although now is not the time to draw a line in the sand to prove that point. As talented as the center is, it is better for the team if he ‘stays in his lane’ as opposed to demanding to be the ‘main cannon.’
The Lakers’ pattern of starting fast and establishing a lead with solid ball movement as well as excellent player movement – and then letting the lead and game get away from them – has to stop.
They currently lead the season series with the Suns 2-1 and the home team has won all three games. Los Angeles also won last season’s series with Phoenix 3-1 for the fourth consecutive season.
The Lakers are 6-4 in their last 10 games at U.S. Airways Center. In three games this season, Kobe Bryant is averaging 38.7 points against the Suns and that includes a 48-point outburst on January 10, 2012. That 48-point game was his highest scoring output without the benefit of a three-point shot.
The game plan for tonight should be to establish Andrew Bynum and power forward Pau Gasol in the post. In light of the Lakers’ injuries, tonight is the night to provide Bynum with 18-20 shots. The Lakers should give Gasol 15+ touches. They have to communicate on defense, do a solid job of defending the pick-and-roll play, stop the dribble penetration of the guards, control the tempo, get back in transition, defend, control the boards and quickly rotate out to open shooters.
Starters
Lakers: R. Sessions, K. Bryant, M. Peace, P.Gasol, A. Bynum
Suns: S. Nash, S. Brown, J. Dudley, C. Frye, M. Gortat
Tip-off: 7:00 PM PST
Television –
- Los Angeles: KCAL 9 (Bill Macdonald & Stu Lantz)
- Phoenix: FS AZ (Gary Bender & Eddie Johnson)
Radio –
- Los Angeles: 710 ESPN (John Ireland & Mychal Thompson)
- Phoenix: KTAR 620 AM (Al McCoy & Tim Kempton)
Injuries –
Lakers:
- Kobe Bryant (Left Shin Contusion) Probable
- Andrew Bynum (Sprained Left Ankle) Probable
- Jordan Hill (Sprained MCL, Right Knee) Questionable
- Ramon Sessions (Sprained Left Shoulder, AC Joint) Probable
Suns:
- Grant Hill (Torn Medial Meniscus, Right Knee) Out