Suns at Lakers
THE STORY: After losing three games in as many nights, the Phoenix Suns don’t get much of a break when they play at the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night in the first of a home-and-home between the clubs, who will also play Sunday in Phoenix. The Suns have lost nine of 10 to the Lakers at Staples Center, where Los Angeles is 12-2. Kobe Bryant scored a season-high 48 points on 18-of-31 shooting in a 99-83 victory over the Suns on Jan. 10.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
ABOUT THE SUNS (12-18): Phoenix seemed in control Wednesday in Atlanta leading by double digits, but the Hawks used a 12-0 run in the fourth quarter for a 101-99 victory. “Yeah, it's frustrating,” guard Jared Dudley said. “If it was in your backyard and you're losing like this (it would be). The point is you've got to find ways to win, especially at home, especially when you have a double-digit lead.” Grant Hill scored 18 against the Hawks, one shy of his season high, and limited Joe Johnson to a season-low six points.
ABOUT THE LAKERS (17-12): Pau Gasol said he hears and reads rumors that he could be traded every day. The latest one has him going to Minnesota for rookie forward Derrick Williams and draft picks. “It's out of my hands,” Gasol said. “It is what it is. I'd like to be here. I'd like to make this team better and get back to a championship level, but it's not up to me.” Guard Derek Fisher was sent home from practice because of sinusitis, but is expected to play Friday. He has appeared in 524 consecutive regular-season games since April 15, 2005, the longest active streak in the NBA.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Lakers are 17-6 in the last 23 games against the Suns, including playoffs.
2. Bryant is shooting just 21.7 percent (5 of 23) in the first half of his last three games.
3. In the first meeting this season, the Lakers held Hill to five points on 1-of-12 shooting.