On Friday, the Lakers will face a different Phoenix Suns team than the one L.A. defeated in six games in the Western Conference finals.

The Lakers won't have to contend with power forward Amare Stoudemire, who signed as a free agent with the New York Knicks over the summer.

Phoenix now has Hedo Turkoglu, who was acquired from the Toronto Raptors, playing the position.

Stoudemire was tough defend rolling to the basket when the Suns ran the pick-and-roll with Steve Nash.  

Turkoglu doesn't attack the basket as much, preferring to shoot from the outside.

"Obviously it's a different power forward that they are using," Pau Gasol said after practice Thursday. "But it's still a tough match-up, and it's going to be a tough game on the road."

-- Broderick Turner

Photo: Suns forward Hedo Turkoglu drives against the Blazers' LaMarcus Aldridge in both teams' season opener on Tuesday. Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer / US Presswire