Phoenix Suns vs. LA Lakers: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More

The 6-4 Los Angeles Lakers will host the 4-4 Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night in what will be the front end of back-to-back games for the Lakers. Los Angeles has played the toughest schedule in terms of rest to this point in the season, so this game will certainly test their mettle.

While a 6-4 record for the Lakers may seem unfathomable, it's understandable that a lack of rest is taking its toll. After all, the Lakers are a very old team with the likes of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Metta World Peace and Derek Fisher playing prominent roles.

Not much was expected of the Suns entering this season unlike the Lakers, so their 4-4 mark could be viewed as a pleasant surprise. Phoenix has been playing quite well as of late with three wins in its past four games. Point guard Steve Nash is as good as ever and center Marcin Gortat has carried over his solid play from late last season.

Despite the rest issue the Lakers are favored by eight points at home. There is a ton of pressure on Los Angeles to perform, so this is a very important game. Seeing as they are in their own building and coming off an off day, the Lakers desperately want to win this game.

Where: STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif.

When: Tuesday, Jan. 10 at 10:30 p.m. EST

Watch: NBA TV

Live Stream: NBA League Pass

Listen: KTAR 620 AM (Phoenix) and KSPN 710 AM (Los Angeles)

Betting Line: Lakers (-8)

Suns Key Injuries (According to CBS Sports): No Injuries to Report

Lakers Key Injuries (According to CBS Sports)

Out: PF Derrick Caracter (knee)

Doubtful: PF Josh McRoberts (toe)

What's at Stake?

I doubt that we'll learn much about either team regardless of the result, but both teams want to win this game for obvious reasons. The Lakers want this one because, quite frankly, it's a game they're supposed to win. The Suns are an inferior opponent in terms of talent and with home-court advantage they should come out on top.

Nobody would think any less of the Suns if they came out on the short end of the stick on the road against the Lakers, but a win would really be a nice feather in their cap. Phoenix has played decent .500 ball to this point, but it is without a signature win to this point. A triumph over the Lakers would certainly qualify, though.

What They're Saying

No team has played a more condensed schedule to start the NBA season than the Los Angeles Lakers. While they have had their ups and downs, their 6-4 start is generally considered to be a disappointment. Playing without much rest is a tough adjustment for a veteran-laden team, but Pau Gasol and the rest of the players are trying to adjust, according to Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times.

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"You'd rather not think about it," Lakers forward Pau Gasol said of the schedule. "We may be tired, but we're going to stay tired. That's just how it's going to be."

"Definitely, rest is important, recovery is important. Otherwise, if you force the body too hard too long, it will break down."

 

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Suns Player to Watch: PG Steve Nash

The Suns are generally a pretty young team, but make no mistake that the driving force is still veteran point guard Steve Nash. While Nash's scoring is down a tad at 12 points per game, he is still a master distributor of the basketball as evidenced by his 9.8 assists per contest. On top of that, Nash is making the most of his limited shots, shooting at a 50 percent clip from the floor.

If Phoenix is going to pull the upset, then Nash will have to be at his best. That means getting everybody involved in the offense as well as contributing on the scoring end in his own right. He has the advantage against the slower Derek Fisher, so I expect a monster game from Nash.

Lakers Player to Watch: SG Kobe Bryant

Center Andrew Bynum has played a big role in the Lakers' success since his return from suspension, but this is still Kobe Bryant's team. Kobe has been getting shots in his wrist on a nightly basis and has had to deal with the most strenuous schedule in the league, but it hasn't slowed him down one bit.

Bryant is dropping 27.6 points per games, as well as six rebounds and six assists to boot. Unfortunately he has had to do it by himself on many nights, particularly when forward Pau Gasol isn't on his game. Bryant needs help from his supporting cast, but if they don't show up Kobe is still capable of winning a game by himself.

Key Matchup: C Marcin Gortat vs. C Andrew Bynum

Since his return to the lineup six games ago, center Andrew Bynum has made a huge impact on the Lakers' lineup. With his knees apparently healthy, Bynum is contributing at a clip that everybody always knew he was capable of. That includes averages of 18.8 points and an incredible 15.7 rebounds per game.

Bynum will match up with a much underrated center at both ends of the floor in Phoenix's Marcin Gortat. Since being traded to the Suns from the Orlando Magic late last season, Gortat has developed into a very solid starting NBA center. He has continued to play well this season, averaging over 12 points and nearly seven rebounds per contest while shooting a sizzling 63 percent from the field. If Gortat can counteract Bynum to some degree it will put the Suns in great position.

Prediction

Lakers 98, Suns 88