Lakers/ Suns Western Conference Championship Preview

The Phoenix Suns and the defending Champion Los Angeles Lakers will square of for the Western Conference title Monday night at Staples Center. Los Angeles won the season series with a 3-1 record over the Suns that included a win in Phoenix. However, the Suns have been the hottest team in the NBA since the All-Star break with an incredible 31-8 record including the Playoffs.

Amare Stoudemire has become a force inside, and has dominated opposing big men during this years’ playoff run. He may find it more difficult as the Lakers have perhaps the biggest line-up in the association. Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom are all 7 footers that have the ability to block shots and make scoring inside difficult for Stoudemire.

At the point guard position, the Suns have a tremendous edge. Despite being a 30 something, Steve Nash has been playing like he did when he won back to back MVP’s earlier in his career. Perhaps he realizes that this may one of his last opportunities to make it to the NBA Finals and win a Championship. Either way, Nash should dominate the Lakers tandem of Derrick Fisher and Jordan Farmar.

The outside shooting of the Suns may be the determining factor in this series. Jason Richardson has been on fire from behind the arc, and may be the difference maker that Phoenix needs to get past the Champs. While Ron Artest hasn’t been for the Lakers what he was for Indiana or Houston, he still creates match-up problems for the Suns due to his size and strength. Artest seems to have gotten his shooting touch back during the last 2 games of the Lakers series with Utah last round. He will need to contribute on both sides of the court if the Lakers intent to keep pace with the much improved Suns.

Channing Frye, Jared Dudley, Goran Dragic and Robin Lopez (who’s expected to play after an injury) have all been tremendous off the bench for Phoenix this season. There is certainly not too much of a drop-off in offensive production when these players take the floor. They combine for 36 points, 15.5 rebounds and 6 assists per contest.

The Lakers bench has been solid, but often falls asleep offensively as they don’t have a go-to scorer that they can rely on. This should be a competitive series that goes at least 6 games. Tune in Monday night as the Lakers try to win the West and take the NBA crown for the second straight season.

Related posts:

1. Lakers/ Suns: Game 2 of Western Conference Championship
2. Western Conference Showdown: Lakers vs. Suns
3. Lakers go to Phoenix to Closeout Western Conference Finals
4. Western Conference Clash: Phoenix Suns vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
5. Western Conference Finals Game 5: Phoenix vs. Los Angeles

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