The Valley looks to get their first wi after the All-Star Break

The Phoenix Suns struggled down in Texas against the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets, losing both games. Down Bradley Beal for both games and   against Houston led to rough

third-quarter starts for the Valley, and it didn’t help that Luka , somehow, someway, always has the Suns number. The Slovenian went for a calm 41 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds on Thursday.

The Suns have 25 games left in the season and can’t go on casual losing streaks. They need to avoid the play-in at all costs. The play-in tourney will likely consist of both the teams that employ

LeBron James and Steph Curry. It doesn’t matter if you’re the ‘ Bulls or the 2024 Pistons; you don’t want to face LeBron James or Stephen Curry in a win-or-go-home situation if you can avoid it.

Today’s matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers is an ideal game for the Suns to get back on track. Playing a Western Conference foe packed with star power

right before a four-day break between games is an opportunity for the Suns to play a consistent, intense level of basketball that they have lacked since coming back from All-Star Break.

Probable Starters

Phoenix

Los Angeles

Uniform Matchup

Injury Report

Sunday 

What to Watch For

had the best game of his career on Friday, going for 25 points and 14 rebounds in 26 minutes of play on 11/17 shooting. At least for one night, the

obscure admiration that Shaquille O’Neal persistently gives the 7’3’’ forward appeared rightfully justified.

Independent of in the lineup, will the University of Oregon product bring that same level of energy on both ends of the floor will be something to pay attention to.

Royce O’Neale is shooting 2/12 from three since play resumed. The former Brooklyn Net shooting well is needed for the team to play small. O’Neale has a strong track record of being a good

shooter, and when he’s shooting well, he gives the Suns an advantage that Josh and Little can’t due to their inconsistencies from behind the arc. It will be interesting to see if he can break out of his mini-slump at home.

Key to a Suns Win

Despite being short-handed, if the Valley avoided mental lapses early in the third quarter in their last two games, they might have won both. The team allowed the Mavericks to make five threes and go

on a 16-0 run to start the second half on Thursday. On Friday, the Rockets won the first 4:20 of the third 15-7.

In their last two games, Phoenix has been outscored 68-52 in the third quarter by opponents. On the road against the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets on

January 29th and 31st, the Valley outscored both squads in the third quarter by double digits, 38-25 and 42-26. The Suns’ strong third quarters need to

return to get back in the win column and out of the loss column.

Prediction

The Lakers’ size has been a problem for the Suns this season. With banged up and Beal’s status questionable, the slide seems likely to continue. Give me Los Angeles in another gut-wrenching Phoenix loss.

Lakers 112, Suns 106