The Phoenix Suns are still searching for their first win of the preseason after back-to-back losses to the Utah Jazz on the road. Maybe a change of scenery at Thursday’s home game could help the Suns get that W.
However, they will be facing a scorching Los Angeles Lakers team who are aiming for their third preseason win in a row.
Catch this game live on Thursday, December 17 at 10 AM, Manila time.
HOME TEAM: Phoenix Suns
Chris Paul scored just five points but dished out six assists in 18 minutes of action in his debut for the Suns last Tuesday against the Utah Jazz. Although the Suns lost that game, 111-92, it was nice for the Suns to see Paul in action, as he’ll have a huge role in the upcoming season as the leader of this young team.
Speaking of Phoenix’s youth, Mikal Bridges is among the Suns’ youngsters who are having a good preseason. He is averaging 14.5 points on 50.0 percent shooting from the field in two games, and he’ll be looking to continue what he’s doing against the Lakers on Thursday. Among the assets of Bridges is his defense, so more than his scoring, the Suns will be watching over what he does on that end of the floor against the Lakers, whose wing players have been making plenty of noise in the preseason.
Meanwhile, Devin Booker is starting to heat up. After scoring 16 points in the first preseason game, a 119-105 loss to Utah, Booker pumped out 27 points on 11-of-17 shooting on Tuesday. Needless to say, Booker is a man to watch for Phoenix.
ROAD TEAM: Los Angeles Lakers
Based on the noise on social media of late, Lakers shooting guard Talen Horton-Tucker is the next Michael Jordan. Horton has been churning out gems in the preseason. He had 19 points in the 87-81 win over the LA Clippers last Saturday then exploded for 33 more points during a 131-106 blowout win over the same team on Monday.
Horton-Tucker has Lakers fans howling in joy, and he could very well put them in a trance again this Thursday against the Suns, whose preseason defense has the sturdiness of a wet paper bag. The Suns are allowing 115.0 points per game this preseason. Also, people should not be sleeping on Kyle Kuzma, who’s treating these games as though they are an extension of the playoffs. Kuzma is averaging 21.5 points with a sizzling 46.2 percent clip from deep. He banged in four 3-pointers on five attempts and finished with 25 points in the previous win over the Clippers.
Lakers head coach Frank Vogel said he expects both LeBron James and Anthony Davis to see action in the team’s final two preseason games, which means there’s a chance the two will suit up against the Suns on Thursday.
PREDICTIONS:
The Lakers have simply looked like a more cohesive team so far in the preseason than the winless Suns. With Kuzma and Horton-Tucker leading the Lakers, look for the team to pounce on Phoenix on their way to a 120-108 win.
