Los Angeles Lakers (34-23, sixth in the Western Conference) vs. Phoenix Suns (33-26, seventh in the Western Conference)
Phoenix; Thursday, 9 p.m. ET
Bottom line: Los Angeles faces Phoenix in Western Conference action on Thursday.
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The Suns have a 22-18 record against Western Conference opponents. Phoenix is 16-13 in games decided by 10 or more points.
The Lakers have a record of 6 wins and 6 losses against other teams in the division. Los Angeles ranks eighth in the West with 25.3 assists per game, and Luka Doncic averages 8.6 assists per game.
The Suns averaged 14.5 three-pointers per game this season, 1.3 more than the Lakers averaged 13.2 three-pointers per game. The Lakers shot 49.8% from the field, which is 2.9% higher than the 46.9% shooting rate of the Suns’ opponents this season.
The two teams met for the fourth time this season. In the last game on December 24, the Suns won 132-108, with Dillon Brooks leading the way with 25 points and LeBron James scoring 23 points for the Lakers.
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Top performer: Collin Gillespie shot 43.1% for the Suns and averaged 13.4 points per game. Royce O’Neal is averaging 2.6 three-pointers per game in the past 10 games.
Doncic averaged 32.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.6 assists per game for the Lakers. In the past 10 games, James averaged 18.8 points and 7.5 assists per game.
Last 10 games: Suns: 3 wins and 7 losses, averaging 101.7 points, 43.5 rebounds, 22.5 assists, 8.6 steals and 3.2 blocks per game, shooting 41.0% from the field. Their opponents average 111.9 points per game.
Lakers: 5 wins and 5 losses, averaging 111.4 points, 38.5 rebounds, 25.8 assists, 7.7 steals and 4.1 blocks per game, shooting 49.8% from the field. Their opponents average 113.7 points per game.
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Injuries: Suns: Cole Anthony: out (unrelated to injury), Jordan Goodwin: out (calf), Devin Booker: out (hip), Dillon Brooks: out (hand), Haywood Highsmith: out (knee).
Lakers: Jaxon Hayes: Out (ankle).
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The Associated Press produced this report using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
