Lakers vs Suns Preview and Game Thread: First road trip of the season

Round two between these two Pacific Division foes in the Lakers and Suns, but this time in Phoenix

After sweeping their first three games at home, the Lakers begin their five-game road trip by facing a well-too-familiar opponent in the Phoenix Suns. This will be the second time these two Pacific Division foes go at it in four days.

Start time and TV schedule

Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns

When: 7 p.m. PT, Oct 28

Where: Footprint Center

Watch: NBA TV, Spectrum SportsNet

If you told me before the start of the season that the Lakers would be 3-0, I honestly wouldn’t have believed you. Maybe it’s because I still think we’re in the Darvin Ham era when this team couldn’t seem to put together a winning streak often. Or perhaps I’m just impressed with how the Lakers have been performing in these first three games of the season and I know majority of Lakers fans are, too.

We’re already seeing a much-improved offense three games into the season compared to last year. A more driven team that’s out to prove something and, finally, one that isn’t sleepwalking through games and winging them.

As Anthony Davis implied after beating the Sacramento Kings last Saturday, this isn’t Darvin Ham’s Lakers team no more.

The Lakers can further prove that they’re a different team this season by crushing their first road trip, something they struggled to do the last two seasons. Establishing a winning record on the road should be a priority for Los Angeles. Here’s how the Lakers can do exactly that and beat the Suns once again:

Outshoot them

As we saw how the game went last Friday, the Suns got off to a hot start where they made eight of their 11 threes. Led by their big three in Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, Phoenix’s lead went as high as 22 points. But credit the Lakers for not allowing this to demotivate them and fighting back as their own run started after they made five of their seven 3-pointers in the third quarter and shot 11-20 (55%) from the field.

For the Lakers to beat the Suns again, they must keep up with their shooting or, better yet, outshoot them. This is going to be harder to do on the road, but it’s not impossible. The purple and gold will once again need a big game from Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and D’Angelo Russell. Bonus if Dalton Knecht and, hopefully, Max Christie contribute significantly.

Beat them inside the paint

It’s early but it’s also worth pointing out that in the last three games, the Suns have given up an average of 50 points in the paint per game. Their interior defense isn’t really the best and this is where the Lakers should expose them again.

Last game, L.A. totaled 50 paint points, which should continue in this one. On top of points inside the paint, it would be nice to continue getting those transition points, which LA had 28 in the last meeting.

Outplay KD, Book and Beal

These three All-Stars will have revenge on their mind and they’ll feel way more comfortable on their home turf, so it’s important for Davis and LeBron James to match this energy. Thankfully for the Lakers, they seem more equipped to handle a bad performance from their superstars, unlike the Suns, who significantly depend on their top-heavy talent. Even if LeBron scored just 21 points in their last match — which is low given how great The King is — the Lakers were able to still win.

That’s why it would be nice if the Lakers’ role players showed up again in this one. They’ve had three good games at home, but playing well on the road is a different task — and one that won’t only convince the league that this Lakers are a different team this year but also prove they’re actually a threat.

Let’s see if the purple and gold can start off their first road trip of the season with a win against the Suns on Monday.

Notes and Updates

• For the Lakers’ injury report, Christian Koloko (return to competition reconditioning), Jarred Vanderbilt (right foot injury recovery) and Christian Wood (right knee injury recovery) remain out.
• Cam Reddish (personal reasons) who has been ruled out in these last three games seems good to go.
• Jalen Hood-Schifino (G-League assignment), Maxwell Lewis (G-League assignment), Quincy Olivari (G-League two-way) and Armel Traore (G-League two-way) will all be on South Bay Lakers duties.
• If you’re wondering why Bronny James isn’t on South Bay duties yet, that’s because his time in the G-League will begin after this road trip.
• As for the Suns, Bradley Beal (right elbow soreness) is listed as questionable, while Josh Okogie (right hamstring strain), Jalen Bridges (G-League two-way), TyTy Washington Jr (G-League two-way) are out.
• We will be live on Playback for this game, so be sure to join us!

You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.