The Los Angeles Lakers are rolling to start the 2024-25 season as they picked up another victory, this time in a thrilling comeback win against the Sacramento Kings.
The Lakers got a heroic effort from LeBron James to begin the fourth quarter while Anthony Davis closed things out en route to a 131-127 victory to improve their record to a perfect 3-0.
Now, Los Angeles will hit the road for their first away game of the season in a rematch against the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers and Suns squared off against each other this past Friday with the former edging out a 123-116 win.
Phoenix’s lone loss this season is from Los Angeles and thus the team will need to be careful as their Pacific Division rivals look to even this season’s head-to-head matchup.
Head coach JJ Redick should have his normal rotation available for the game, though Cam Reddish is available after missing the past two games due to personal reasons. Los Angeles will also be without Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis as they were assigned to the South Bay Lakers, while Bronny James remains on the parent roster for the road trip.
The first matchup featured a scoring duel between Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant as they led their respective teams in scoring, but the Lakers’ supporting cast was the difference as players like Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura stepped up as scoring options.
Focusing the defensive attention on Phoenix’s “Big 3” of Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and Durant should be priority, but the rest of their roster is capable of generating and shooting 3-pointers. To counter, the Lakers need to be diligent about cleaning the glass on both ends and creating extra opportunities for themselves.
Beal is listed as questionable going into the game but considering it is against the Lakers, he will surely do everything possible to make sure he is ready and available.
Another win for the purple and gold would be a massive momentum boost and a great way to kick off their five-game road trip.
Phoenix Suns (2-1) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (3-0)
7:00 p.m. PST, Monday, October 28, 2024
Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona
TV: NBA TV, Spectrum SportsNet
Radio: 710 AM ESPN LA
Projected Lakers Starting Lineup:
PG: D’Angelo Russell
SG: Austin Reaves
SF: Rui Hachimura
PF: LeBron James
C: Anthony Davis
Key Reserves: Max Christie, Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht, Jaxson Hayes
Projected Suns Starting Lineup:
PG: Tyus Jones
SG: Bradley Beal
SF: Devin Booker
PF: Kevin Durant
C: Jusuf Nurkic
Key Reserves: Royce O’Neale, Mason Plumlee, Monte Morris, Ryan Dunn
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