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

The 28-27 Phoenix Suns will host the 35-21 Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night in a game that has major Western Conference playoff implications. The Lakers are trying to maintain their stranglehold on the No. 3 seed after losing to the Houston Rockets last night, while the Phoenix Suns are currently two games out of a spot.

Los Angeles has gone through a lot of turmoil this season. After a vetoed trade for Chris Paul during the offseason, the Lakers eventually dealt Lamar Odom while Pau Gasol has been playing the entire season with the sense that he isn't wanted. Kobe Bryant has had another spectacular season, though, and he's the reason why the Lakers are contenders.

The Suns are somewhere between a playoff contender and a rebuilding process, so being over .500 should be considered a success. Point guard Steve Nash is still running the show, but center Marcin Gortat has turned into an All-Star-caliber player with increased playing time. He is averaging nearly a double-double per game.

Here is everything you need to know for the battle between the Lakers and Suns Saturday night in Phoenix.

Where: US Airways Center in Phoenix, Ariz.

When: Saturday, April 7 at 10 p.m. ET

Watch: FAHD

Live Stream: NBA League Pass

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

Betting Line: Phoenix (-1)

Lakers Key Injuries (According to CBS Sports)

Questionable: PF Jordan Hill (knee)

Suns Key Injuries (According to CBS Sports)

Out: SF Grant Hill (knee)

What They're Saying

Despite all of the turmoil that the Lakers have gone through this season, they currently sit third in the Western Conference and have been playing some good basketball as of late. That has happened in spite of center Andrew Bynum's erratic behavior. His antics finally came back to bite the Lakers when he was ejected from the Lakers' five-point loss to the Houston Rockets on Friday.

There is no question that Bynum is a key part of the team, but he needs to get his head screwed on right. Head coach Mike Brown wants him to play smarter, according to Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times.

"

"I'm disappointed because we told him [before the start of the fourth quarter], 'You've got one technical, don't pick up your second,'" Lakers Coach Mike Brown said. "He acknowledged us and went out and picked up his second when I thought he could have helped us to win the ballgame."

"

Most Important Player to Watch: Kobe Bryant

The Lakers star shooting guard has dealt with a bunch of nagging injuries, including a left leg ailment he is currently nursing, but they haven't slowed him down. Bryant is the league's leading scorer with over 28 points per contest, and he has pitched in over five rebounds and nearly five assists per game as well.

The arrival of point guard Ramon Sessions has helped ,and both Bynum and Gasol have been productive offensively, but there is no question that Bryant is the straw that stirs the drink. If Bryant isn't on top of his game, Los Angeles probably isn't going to win. That's a lot of pressure to put on one player, but he has been carrying the load for quite some time now, so he's used to it.

Key Matchup: Ramon Sessions vs. Steve Nash

He hasn't been a superstar, but point guard Ramon Sessions has been better than advertised for the Lakers since they acquired him from the Cleveland Cavaliers at the trade deadline. Over the past five games, he has scored in double figures and had at least seven assists in each contest. This has taken much of the burden off of Kobe's shoulders, as he hasn't been charged with handling the ball and setting up the offense as often.

With that said, Sessions may need to turn in his best performance as a Laker against the Suns; that is because Phoenix boasts the ageless Steve Nash at point guard. Nash is averaging 13 points and 11 assists per game, and is the main reason why Phoenix is still in the playoff race. Even at 38 years of age he is extremely difficult to contain, so Sessions will have to be solid on both ends of the floor to counteract him.

Prediction

Lakers 99, Suns 95