Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal pick Lakers to beat Suns in NBA In-Season Tournament quarterfinals
LOS ANGELES — Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal don’t foresee the Phoenix Suns making it to Las Vegas.
Barkley and O’Neal picked the Los Angeles Lakers to beat the Suns in Tuesday’s NBA In-Season Tournament quarterfinals game at Crypto.com Arena.
“I’m not really impressed with the Suns yet,” O’Neal said Monday night on TNT’s Inside The NBA. “They have a lot of talent. I know (Bradley) Beal has been in and out, but the Lakers are playing well.”
The Suns-Lakers winner will play New Orleans in the Dec. 7 semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Vegas. The championship game is Dec. 9 in Vegas with each player from the winning team receiving $500,000.
“I’m not sold on Phoenix yet,” O’Neal added.
"I'm not really impressed with the Suns yet. They have a lot of talent. I know (Bradley) Beal has been in and out but the Lakers are playing well."
Shaquille O'Neal picks #Lakers over #Suns in Tuesday #NBA In-Season Tournament quarterfinals in LA.
"I'm not sold on Phoenix yet." pic.twitter.com/JgBIgniX7U— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 5, 2023
The Suns-Lakers loser will host the Kings on Dec. 8. New Orleans won Monday's quarterfinal game at Sacramento, 127-117.
This will be the first time the Suns will have Devin Booker against the Lakers this season, They are 0-2 against Los Angeles so far.
The Lakers have also yet to play against Kevin Durant and Booker together for the Suns since Phoenix acquired Durant in a blockbuster deal right before last season’s trade deadline.
The Suns (12-8) are 15-2 with Booker and Durant in the lineup.
“That won’t be enough,” Barkley said Monday. “I don’t think they can beat the Lakers (Tuesday).”
"I'm concerned about my Suns. I am because of all the injuries."
Charles Barkley as #Suns at #Lakers in #NBA In-Season Tournament KO round.
0-2 vs Lakers. Have Devin Booker this time with Kevin Durant.
"That won't be enough. I don't think they can beat the Lakers tomorrow." pic.twitter.com/0sAwvakzYV— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 5, 2023
The Lakers (12-9) topping Phoenix, 122-119, Nov. 10 in In-Season Tournament West Group A play at Footprint Center ultimately led to the Lakers hosting the Suns in the single-elimination quarterfinals.
Los Angeles finished 4-0 in group play while Phoenix went 3-1 to take the wildcard to advance.
The Suns had Durant and Beal in last month’s tournament loss to the Lakers.
Beal scored 20 points in the first half, but he ended up with just 24 for the game. He’s only played in three games with his new team as Beal is in the final week of a three-week rehab for a low back strain.
“He’s making progress, but still no timetable,” Suns coach Frank Vogel said after Monday’s practice.
Barkley expressed concern about Phoenix's Big 3 having dealt with injuries in recent seasons.
Booker has already missed nine games this season with a left ankle sprain (3), right calf strain (5) and right ankle sprain (1). Durant has only been sidelined two games this season with right foot soreness.
“I’m concerned about my Suns,” Barkley said. “I am because of all the injuries.”
Barkley later said that Beal “isn’t even close to playing.”
Beal only played in 50 games last season and a career-low 40 the previous 2021-22 season.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Suns face Lakers in NBA In-Season tournament: Who Barkley, Shaq picked
