What to watch: Lakers seek eighth straight win against improving Suns

The Lakers enter Sunday riding a seven-game winning streak, but extending it will require adjusting without Austin Reaves against a Suns team beginning to find its footing.

Los Angeles (11-2) faces Phoenix (5-6) on the road for Game 14 of 82.

The Suns have won four of their past five games. They scored a season-high 133 points and made 22 3-pointers against the Clippers before forcing 27 turnovers in a 101-96 victory over Charlotte on Thursday.

Here are three things to watch:

Reaves is out with a left heel bruise, leaving the Lakers without his 24.7 points per game and another creator alongside Luka Dončić.

Dončić is not listed on the injury report after hurting his right ankle against Milwaukee. He enters averaging an NBA-leading 38.6 points, along with 7.6 assists and 7.5 rebounds, while shooting 40.8% from 3-point range.

The Lakers could also be short on backcourt depth. Collin Sexton is questionable with a right orbital laceration, Bronny James Jr. is questionable with an illness, and Cameron Carr is out with an illness.

Quentin Grimes is available despite a right finger splint, giving L.A. another option alongside Dončić. Sandro Mamukelashvili has scored 23 points in each of the past two games and could help offset Reaves’ absence.

Phoenix presents an opportunity to keep the offense productive. The Suns rank 26th in defensive rating, allowing 117.6 points per 100 possessions, and 25th in opponent 3-point percentage at 37.4%.

The Lakers lead the NBA in offensive rating at 122.7 and rank third in 3-point shooting at 38.3%. Maintaining that efficiency will require their supporting cast to capitalize when Phoenix sends additional attention toward Dončić.

The Suns have struggled to finish possessions, ranking last in the NBA at 38.9 rebounds per game. They also rank 26th in opponent rebounds, allowing 46.9 per game.

Charlotte outrebounded Phoenix 52-31 on Thursday, highlighting a weakness the Lakers should look to exploit.

Walker Kessler enters averaging 14.5 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks. His screening, rolls to the basket and offensive rebounding can force Phoenix to defend multiple threats when Dončić operates with the ball.

The Lakers have their own work to do, ranking 27th in rebounds per game. Kessler, Jake LaRavia and the rest of the frontcourt need to create extra shots while limiting Phoenix’s second chances.

Adou Thiero is questionable with a left ankle sprain, potentially leaving L.A. with another absence among its options at forward.

Phoenix’s pressure defense helps compensate for its shortcomings elsewhere.

The Suns force 16.5 turnovers per game, fourth in the NBA, while committing just 13.2 themselves, seventh fewest. That possession advantage helped them overcome their rebounding deficit against Charlotte.

The Lakers average 16.9 turnovers, making ball security especially important without Reaves. They need clear passing outlets when Dončić draws pressure and must avoid giving Phoenix easy transition opportunities.

The Suns also rank ninth in field-goal percentage at 46.7%, with Devin Booker driving their recent improvement. Over their past five games, Booker has averaged 26.6 points, 5.4 assists and two steals.

Matisse Thybulle and Grimes give the Lakers perimeter options to challenge him. Keeping Booker away from comfortable spots while protecting the ball would help L.A. control the game and close its trip with another win.