On December 5, the Los Angeles Lakers will face Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns in the NBA In-Season Tournament quarterfinals for the third time this season. However, it will be their first encounter with Booker this season.

Booker, for one, is excited about it.

“I’m excited for this one,” Booker remarked on December 2 via Duane Rankin of azcentral. “I know they’re doing great right now. And they’re back in shape, with a full roster. So it’ll be a heavyweight fight in Los Angeles. There’s a lot on the line. Everyone is looking forward to the winner’s trip to Las Vegas. It’ll be entertaining.”

Both prior matchups were won by the Lakers by an average of four points. Booker, who has averaged just under 28.0 points per game this season, may have turned the tide.

In his career, Booker has averaged 23.1 points per game against the Lakers. He averaged 29.0 points on 62.2% true shooting in two games last season, one victory and one loss. The Suns have won six of their previous eight games.

Booker scored 34 points in their last game, a 116-109 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.

According to NBA.com, the Lakers have the ninth-best defensive rating. The Grizzlies are ranked 12th, implying that they will have a better chance of slowing down the Suns’ No. 8-ranked attack. The Lakers’ 24th-ranked offense will face the league’s 18th-ranked defense in Phoenix.