Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix

I know we, as basketball junkies, should be looking forward to the Celtics/Pistons game.

Good defense in that one. Slow-down, playoff basketball from two teams who fought for the Eastern Conference crown last year and still might be the favorites to take to the Eastern Conference finals this year. Provided, of course, that Mo Williams learns how to play defense.

But let's not try to fool ourselves. We want to see the Suns play the Lakers. We like watching the Suns play anyone, even if they have slowed a bit. We enjoy the Lakers getting a good challenge. This may not be a matchup of the best two teams in the West, and it may not even be a close game. But that's the one to watch. You know it.

Don't eat your vegetables, and move right on to the confection of your choice. Play with your toys, even when you're working. Shaq and A.C. Green (both former Suns and Lakers, pictured above) would.

It didn't take long for Steve Nash to pull the passive/aggressive, "I don't think we should run away from our running game"-bit. He's already been talking about it in halftime interviews and to the press postgame. He knows that the running game still might be his team's best chance at doing anything this spring. Meanwhile, the Lakers want nothing to do with spring. They're all about the summer. And I'm all about this game.

Celtics/Pistons? We appreciate you. We respect you. And if we had to choose, we're watching the second game.

(Join Skeets and co. for a live blog tonight, starting around 8 p.m. Eastern.)

Los Angeles Lakers: 8-1, 96.4 possessions per game (3^rd-most in the NBA), 108.8 points scored per 100 possessions (5^th-most in the NBA), 94.8 points allowed per 100 possessions (1^st in the NBA). David Watts.

Phoenix Suns: 8-4, 91.7 possessions per game (14^th), 108.7 points scored 100 possessions (8^th), 105.7 points allowed per 100 possessions (16^th). David Watts.

Related: Game to pay attention to