Suns at Lakers
THE STORY: The Phoenix Suns and defense usually are not used in the same thought, but suddenly the Suns have become a defensive team. They are allowing just 91.5 points, which would set a franchise record. The Suns also got back to .500 and will try to snap the Los Angeles Lakers’ six-game home winning streak Tuesday night at the Staples Center. The Suns scored a season-high total in a 109-93 victory over Milwaukee on Sunday. That victory gave Phoenix its 24th consecutive home win over the Bucks. “We are making open shots,” Steve Nash said. “We are also getting a little better pace and tempo throughout the game, a little bit of cohesion.” The Lakers earned a 90-82 victory over Memphis despite a season-high 27 turnovers. “They were poor turnovers that led to a lot of fast-break points,” Lakers coach Mike Brown said. “It was a controlled, methodical game – a game that we should excel at if we can take care of the basketball.”
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FS Arizona (Suns), FS West (Lakers)
ABOUT THE SUNS (4-4): The two most recent trips for Phoenix to play at the Lakers have been interesting. On March 22, the Suns overcame a 21-point deficit in the second half to force triple-overtime. In the game before that, Phoenix made a franchise-record 22 3-pointers, one shy of the NBA record. Nash and Marcin Gortat are tied for the NBA lead in field-goal percentage at 69.2 percent. Gortat is 15 of 18 from the field in his last two games.
ABOUT THE LAKERS (6-4): Matt Barnes has won over Brown and also won the starting spot at small forward, replacing Devin Ebanks. Against Memphis, Barnes was 5 of 9 for 15 points and 10 rebounds. He also had two blocks. “He's my small forward for the foreseeable future,” Brown said. “He earned it. He's held onto it and he's played the right way for us at that position.” Barnes, who averages 7.1 points and 4.6 rebounds, missed most of last season with a knee injury.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Kobe Bryant, who scored at least 30 points in three of the Lakers’ four games, was chosen Western Conference Player of the Week.
2. The Lakers are 7-3 in their last 10 home games against the Suns.
3. Nash had 10 assists in the first quarter and finished with a season-high 17 against Milwaukee.