Watch the domestic inventory for award tickets, including crazy connections and especially flights that arrive in LAX the day before the AZ flights. when you see something at a reasonable price in miles, call and ask that the segments be added to your award tickets. Even if you must pay the fee, it's better than being stranded because technically you have separate tickets. Similarly for the return connecting segments, although they are probably lower priority to put onto your ticket versus purchasing a separate ticket. Chances are very good that something will become available at a reasonable price in miles as the dates of your trip approach. Paying for a hotel night in LAX in order to ensure a free (almost, but of course the miles aren't free either) trip to Italy.