Out-of-sync offences collide as Phoenix Suns host Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers and Suns are straddling the line that separates the top six in the NBA Western Conference from the play-in round. Read more at straitstimes.com.

LOS ANGELES – Two teams in varying states of offensive dysfunction will meet when the Phoenix Suns host the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb 26 (Feb 27, Singapore time).

The Suns enter the matchup after their two lowest-scoring games of the season, a 92-77 National Basketball Asoociation (NBA) loss to the Portland Trail Blazers and a 97-81 defeat by the Boston Celtics. Phoenix were unable to generate consistent looks without top scorers Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks.

The Lakers return after an uncomfortable 6.7 seconds, when they misfired on an inbounds play in a 110-109 loss to the Orlando Magic on Feb 24. It was their second straight loss after a 111-89 defeat by Boston two days earlier.

“We’re a work in progress,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said.

Redick drew up an inbounds play to get Luka Doncic a shot in the final seconds of the Orlando game, but Doncic turned down an open but longish three-point attempt before being swarmed. He passed to a surprised LeBron James, whose attempted game-winner was not close.

“Obviously, you have to ask Luka what he saw on that,” James said. “I thought he had a good look, and it looked like he kind of just lost his balance. Didn’t have the rhythm of the ball, whatever the case may be.