Preview: Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns

After losing rookie power forward Julius Randle to a broken leg in the season opener on Tuesday, the Lakers won’t have long to lick their wounds.

On Wednesday, the Lakers visit the Phoenix Suns.

The Suns will play their first game of the year after a 48-win season that just fell short of the playoffs.

The Lakers are expected to play without Steve Nash (back), Nick Young (thumb), Ryan Kelly (hamstring) and Randle (leg). Wayne Ellington is also questionable with a concussion.

Key matchup

Eric Bledsoe emerged as an explosive scorer for the Suns last season, averaging 17.7 points with 5.5 assists a game. During the offseason, the team rewarded him with a five-year, $70-million contract.

While Bledsoe is physically strong, he’s only 6 feet 1. He’ll likely match up at shooting guard against the 6-foot-6 Kobe Bryant.

Bryant led the Lakers with 19 points in the team’s 108-90 loss to the Rockets. Returning from knee and Achilles’ injuries, the 36-year old Bryant may play reduced minutes on the second night of a back-to-back.

The Lakers will need to try and contain Bledsoe’s penetration, difficult because the Suns also boast point guards Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas.

Bryant may be taller than Bledsoe, but the Suns are likely to cross-match taller players against him defensively like Gerald Green and Marcus Morris. The team’s designated defender, P.J. Tucker, is suspended for an off-season DUI.

X-factor

The Lakers need help defending the rim. The team’s starting combination of Jordan Hill and Carlos Boozer still need to prove they are a workable combination.

Off the bench, Ed Davis has shown to be the team’s most prolific shot blocker.

Davis has also proven to be the team’s most efficient scorer in the paint. Against the Rockets he blocked two shots while hitting five of seven attempts from the field.

The Suns love to attack the basket on penetration. If Davis can play a major part protecting the middle, the rest of his squad needs to focus on the perimeter, where Phoenix loves to attempt the three-point shot.

The Lakers had trouble with Houston’s Terrence Jones in the opener. Forward Markieff Morris could pose a similar problem as a mobile, scoring big man.

Outlook

The Lakers recently gave the Suns a challenge in a 114-108 overtime loss.

Playing on consecutive nights, after the emotional let-down of losing Randle, may prove to be a difficult challenge for the Lakers against a talented Phoenix roster.

Twitter: @EricPincus