Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix Suns (9:00 p.m. EST)

Healing Time

Phoenix has won 14 of their last 18 games after a 3-8 stretch in mid-January. They’ve vaulted themselves back into 5th place in the Western Conference playoff standings and had a nice rest heading into Friday’s meeting with the Lakers.

The Suns have had the last five days off, having not played since last Saturday’s home win over Indiana. That extra time has given key players some needed rest.

Guard Leandro Barbosa is expected to make his return from wrist surgery against the Lakers on Friday after missing 21 straight games. He was averaging 10.6 PPG off the bench before his injury.

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Barbosa said his right arm is still "a little weak" and there is some swelling. He added, "I'm very hungry to come back and help my teammates," he said. "We'll see what happens."

Barbosa – along with Steve Nash and Goran Dragic – used this time to rehab their nagging injuries. Nash was dealing with back and abdominal injuries while Dragic was dealing with an ankle injury.

The NBA suspended Suns center Channing Frye one game without pay for his part in an altercation that took place last Saturday. They will be without their spark-plug off the bench and his 11.6 PPG and 5.2 RPG and his ability to stretch the defense (leads team in 3-pointers made).

Tough Days for L.A.

The Lakers hadn’t lost three straight games since acquiring Pau Gasol from Memphis in February of 2008, at least until a three-game road trip through Miami, Charlotte and Orlando ended that streak. They nearly made it four straight in a home game against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday.

But, of course, Kobe Bryant had the answer, nailing a game-winning baseline jumper with 1.9 seconds on the clock – his 7th game winning shot this season. Although the Lakers won game in exciting fashion, there was a somber mood in the locker room afterwards.

Coach Phil Jackson, when asked if this team had the same consistent urgency of last season, he said, "I don't think so. We don't have that. Not that we can't reclaim it at some point. That's what we're trying to do." Jackson later added, simply, "The urgency of playing well has not struck us yet."

Other contenders now believe they can beat the Lakers, which is the first big step toward doing so.

"What's crazy about it is that these teams are getting confidence they can beat us," said forward Lamar Odom. "You can see it in their body language. There's a lot more talking. There's extra animation, even when they come here."

They are just 3-5 in their last 8 games and just 8-9 overall this season against potential contenders (teams currently in the top four spots of Eastern & Western conference standing).

The Lakers, losers of four straight away from home, have three straight Western Conference road games on the upcoming schedule – starting with Phoenix on Friday.

Head to Head

The last meeting between these two was on December 28th in Phoenix. The Suns held a lead nearly the entire game (led by as much as 22 at one point) and shot 48.9% to beat the Lakers by 15 points.

The Lakers have won four of the last six meetings (all at home) by an average margin of 17.5 PPG. Phoenix has won two straight home games over the Lakers but has dropped 7 of the last 10 vs. LA.

The home team is 5-0 ATS in the last 5 meetings but the Lakers are 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings in Phoenix.

Key Statistical Information – Last Five Games

PPG
Los Angeles: +1.0
Phoenix: +7.8

FG%
Los Angeles: -2.9%
Phoenix: +6.0%

Rebounding
Los Angeles: -1.8
Phoenix: +7.4

Trends

Los Angeles is just 1-5 ATS in their last 6 Pacific division games and 2-8-1 ATS in their last 11 games overall.

Phoenix is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 vs. Western Conference and 4-0 ATS in their last 4 division games (NBA Pacific). The added rest may not be a good thing for the Suns, they are just 3-11-1 ATS in their last 15 games playing on 3 or more days rest.