Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns: 3 match-ups to watch

2 of 4

PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 20: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns warms up prior to the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 20, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Matchup No. 1: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope vs Devin Booker

This could be the most important matchup to watch in the game. Devin Booker is undoubtedly the best player that the Suns have. If the Lakers are going to win this game, slowing down Booker is key. The man tasked with slowing Booker down is Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Caldwell-Pope did not play in the first matchup between the Lakers and Suns; he was serving the second game of his suspension.Booker nearly triple-doubled in the first matchup, scoring 25 points with 11 rebounds and eight assists. He also added two steals. Booker was mostly regarded as just a scorer earlier in his career, but he is beginning to round out his game in his third season in the league.

Booker is coming into tonight’s game off his biggest scoring outburst this season. Booker scored 35 points with nine rebounds and six assists. He is proving to be a handful all over the court and should be the focus of the Lakers defensive gameplan.

The Lakers need to make Booker work on the defensive end. Caldwell-Pope will more than likely be who he is matched up with, so running some plays for him would make sense. Asking Caldwell-Pope to keep pace with Booker scoring wise is a tall task, but making him work on both ends of the court would be smart.

Home/Lakers News