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The Los Angeles Lakers (10-6) visit the Phoenix Suns (9-7) in an intriguing matchup between two teams trending in opposite directions. The Lakers have stumbled slightly with a two-game skid, but their 60% winning clip over the last 10 games reflects their overall strong play. In contrast, the Suns have plummeted, dropping five straight and a dismal 40% of their last 10 contests.
Offense has fueled the Lakers' success, averaging a robust 116.4 points per game on the season. They've been even more prolific recently, pouring in 115.2 points over their last 10 games while shooting a blistering 48.5% from the field. Their ball movement has been crisp, dishing out 26.9 assists during this stretch. However, the Lakers will need to clean up their 11.8 turnovers per game to maximize their offensive potency.
Conversely, the Suns' offense has gone ice cold. Over their last five games, they've mustered just 105 points per contest on an anemic 42.3% shooting. Their spacing has suffered with a paltry 33.4% from deep, while their 14 turnovers have compounded their struggles. A lack of rebounding has also plagued Phoenix, grabbing just 42 boards per game during this horrific stretch.
Defensively, both teams have been vulnerable, allowing over 115 points per game in their last 10 outings. However, the Lakers have shown more discipline, forcing 7.9 steals and blocking 4.4 shots per contest. The Suns, on the other hand, have struggled to protect the rim, swatting just 2.4 blocks per game during their five-game skid.
With the Lakers shooting nearly 50% in their last 10 and the Suns hovering around 42% in their last five, this matchup could come down to which offense breaks out of its recent funk. If the Suns can't find their shooting touch and continue their sloppy play, the Lakers' balanced attack may hand Phoenix a sixth straight loss. However, a return to form for the Suns' offense could make this an intense battle between two talented rosters.