NBA Emirates Cup action is set to resume on Wednesday morning with the Los Angeles Lakers heading to the Footprint Center to face the Phoenix Suns.
The Lakers are 10-6 for the season and currently lead West Group B (2-0), while the Suns are 9-7 this term and sit in fourth place in the group with a 1-1 record.
Match preview
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After a promising start to the season, the Phoenix Suns are now in a slump and suffered their fifth straight loss - third at home - when they were beaten 138-122 by the New York Knicks in midweek.
Devin Booker led the team with 33 points, three rebounds and five assists, Royce O'Neale contributed 17 points and two assists and Tyus Jones chipped in with 15 points and 10 assists in the loss.
However, the Suns were on the back foot almost from tip-off, as they found themselves in an early 14-3 deficit, and things got worse in the second quarter when the Knicks grew their lead to 24 points thanks to a quick surge by Jalen Brunson.
The absence of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal has noticeably impacted Phoenix's level of play over the last couple of weeks, while it has also revealed that Mike Budenholzer's squad depth this season is questionable.
Arguably, the area that has been affected the worst in KD's absence is their defence, as the Suns began the season with a top-half defensive rating, but they have now dropped all the way to 20th, allowing 114.5 points per game.
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Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers will also enter this match looking to return to winning ways after getting routed by the Denver Nuggets 127-102 at home on Sunday morning.
Austin Reaves put up 19 points, six assists and three rebounds, LeBron James notched up 18 points and seven assists, while Anthony Davis had a bit of an off night, managing just 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Head coach J.J. Redick slammed his team in his press conference following the defeat, pointing to a "lack of spirit to compete" as their downfall in the third quarter, when his side was outscored 37-15.
The result marked the Lakers' second defeat on the bounce following a one-point loss to the Orlando Magic on Saturday, and it was also the 13th time the team have lost to the Nuggets in the last 14 meetings between the sides.
Los Angeles are still inside the top 10 in the scoring charts, averaging 116.4 PPG, but they are now down to 24 on the defensive end, allowing 116.9 points per game, with a 7-9-0 ATS record after 16 games.
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Team News
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Budenholzer provided Suns' fans with some positive news in the lead-up to their match against the Lakers, confirming that both Durant and Beal had resumed training with the team and are in contention to feature.
The head coach seemed to be more optimistic about KD's likelihood of returning in time than Beal's, though if the latter does miss the contest, Ryan Dunn is the most likely to take his place on the wing.
For the Lakers, Rui Hachimura returned from a three-game absence due to a right ankle sprain against the Nuggets and got 22 minutes on the hardwood, scoring 10 points, three assists and two rebounds.
However, Jaxson Hayes (ankle), Jarred Vanderbilt (foot), Bronny James (foot), Quincy Olivari (ankle) and Christian Wood (knee surgery), are all still out of action for the Lakers owing to injuries.
Phoenix Suns possible starting five:
Durant, Dunn, Nurkic, Booker, Jones
Los Angeles Lakers possible starting five:
James, Hachimura, Davis, Reaves, Reddish
We say: Phoenix Suns to win by 2+ points
The Suns have been struggling to find their best performances with their two All-Stars out for the last six games, but with their return seeming likely for this match, we are expecting a much better performance and fancy Phoenix to end their five-match skid in this one.
Devesh Jaganath
