Pau Gasol has been very good so far this season, one of the keys to the 8-1 start of the Los Angeles Lakers. He is averaging 22.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game so far this season, all while leading the Lakers in minutes played. However, as the Lakers prepare to host the Phoenix Suns tonight at Staples Center, in a rematch of last season's Western Conference Finals, there is one Gasol stat that stands out.
Since joining the Lakers in February 2008, Gasol has played against the Suns 15 times: nine regular season games, and six playoff contests. In those 15 games against Phoenix, Gasol has yet to grab double-digit rebounds in a game. He has come close several times, picking up nine rebounds five times and eight rebounds twice, but Gasol has never cracked the double-digit barrier.
This isn't really a big deal, as Gasol has still been effective against the Suns, averaging 19.2 points while shooting 58.9% from the field since joining the Lakers. The team is 11-4 in those 15 games, including 6-0 at home.On October 29 in Phoenix, Gasol had 21 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists, one of the best individual performances by a Laker this season, but came up just short on getting 10 rebounds.
| Pau Gasol Rebounds As A Laker Against Suns | |||
| Split | Offense | Defense | Total |
| Regular Season | 1.9 | 4.5 | 6.4 |
| Playoffs | 2.5 | 4.7 | 7.2 |
| Totals | 2.1 | 4.6 | 6.7 |
| Source: Basketball-Reference.com | |||
As a Laker, Gasol is averaging 10.2 rebounds per game in 249 games, including the playoffs. In the 234 games that haven't been against Phoenix, Gasol has had double-digit rebounds 134 times, or 57.3% of the time. But, against the Suns Gasol is 0-for-15. Will Gasol snap that streak tonight?
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