Lakers vs Suns preview: Lakers try to keep wind in sails after strong start to season

The Los Angeles Lakers are flying high off of a triumphant return to Staples Center, but the Phoenix Suns will try to snap the two-game winning streak Sunday night. The purple and gold are 3-3 to start the season, suddenly looking like a team that will be in the mix around the 8-11 range in the Western Conference.

It’s been a small sample, though, and there’s no need to get ahead of ourselves. The Lakers can take this whole ride one game at a time without the pressure of expectations, improving as they truck along. Their schedule is softening up over the next six games, with a handful of very-winnable outings in line. That includes Sunday night against the Suns.

Devin Booker is a perfect test for the Lakers’ perimeter defenders, while TJ Warren leads the way for Phoenix averaging 21.7 points per game. LA should have the tools necessary to deal with both of the Suns’ leading scorers, but it’s still too early to expect the team to execute consistently. On paper, this is a game the Lakers should be able to take.

With the Mavericks, Kings, Pelicans, Timberwolves and Nets next up in line, the Lakers have a great opportunity to build on top of a surprisingly strong start to their year. They hung in in tough fights against playoff teams, picked up three wins along the way, and are in position to turn their hard work into a cache of wins.

Enjoy the game, which hopefully isn’t the air being knocked out of the Lakers’ flowing sails after an impressive season-opening stretch of hoops.

Time: 6: 30 p.m. PT

TV: Spectrum SportsNet