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Doncic and the Lakers take on conference foe Phoenix

Los Angeles Lakers (17-7, fourth in the Western Conference) vs. Phoenix Suns (14-11, seventh in the Western Conference)

Phoenix; Sunday, 8 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Lakers -2; over/under is 227.5

BOTTOM LINE: Phoenix hosts Los Angeles in a matchup of Western Conference teams.

The Suns are 5-2 against opponents in the Pacific Division. Phoenix ranks fourth in the Western Conference with 12.6 offensive rebounds per game led by Mark Williams averaging 3.1.

The Lakers are 2-2 against opponents from the Pacific Division. Los Angeles ranks eighth in the Western Conference shooting 36.1% from 3-point range.

The Suns score 114.8 points per game, 2.0 fewer points than the 116.8 the Lakers allow. The Lakers are shooting 50.7% from the field, 2.6% higher than the 48.1% the Suns’ opponents have shot this season.

The teams meet for the second time this season. The Suns won 125-108 in the last matchup on Dec. 2.

TOP PERFORMERS: Collin Gillespie is shooting 43.6% and averaging 13.1 points for the Suns. Dillon Brooks is averaging 16.0 points over the last 10 games.

Deandre Ayton is averaging 15.1 points and 8.8 rebounds for the Lakers. Luka Doncic is averaging 35.0 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Suns: 5-5, averaging 108.0 points, 40.4 rebounds, 23.0 assists, 11.2 steals and 3.0 blocks per game while shooting 45.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.0 points per game.

Lakers: 7-3, averaging 121.2 points, 41.1 rebounds, 24.7 assists, 5.6 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 51.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 120.1 points.

INJURIES: Suns: Isaiah Livers: day to day (hip), Devin Booker: day to day (groin), Jalen Green: out (hamstring).

Lakers: Maxi Kleber: day to day (back), Austin Reaves: out (calf).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

NYPD says dozens rescued from human trafficking during World Cup

▶ Watch Video: Inside look at security preparations for World Cup Forty-three people, including seven minors, were rescued from human traffickers during the World Cup matches in the New York City area, according to the New York City Police Department's Special Victims Unit.The rescue operations were carried out between June 11 and July 19 by specialized NYPD detectives who arrested 89 individuals."The surprise was really the outpouring of support behind the mission and the collaboration with all our partners," said Inspector Gary Marcus, commanding officer of the Special Victims Unit.Those rescued, largely the victims of sex trafficking, are now being supported with an array of social services for the victims, including food, housing and counseling.The 87 operations carried out during the World Cup have generated new leads, officials said, and law enforcement agencies are building more cases based on the investigations already underway."We have ongoing investigations now as a result of these operations," an NYPD official told CBS News.Major sporting events are known to law enforcement as hotbeds of human trafficking.Years in advance, the NYPD devoted significant resources to preparing for the World Cup. Eight matches were played at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, including the final on Sunday."When we talk about the outreach and the prep we do, a large part of that involved visiting the known sex offenders, particularly the known human traffickers, in our registry," Marcus said. "Whether they're on parole or probation for human trafficking, we visited them to make sure they're compliant with the terms of their release, and secondly, to let them know that the NYPD is watching."The matches were held in multiple cities around the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Preparations to secure those games and prepare for crimes like human trafficking were coordinated between local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.Police departments in many locations that hosted World Cup matches have made arrests and rescues connected to human trafficking, including in Georgia, New England and Missouri. Nationally, there were more than 673 arrests on human-trafficking charges made during the World Cup, and 61 adults and 13 minors rescued, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
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