February 27th, 2009 
Stephen Rhodes 
Posted in 
When healthy, Steve Nash is a big reason why the Phoenix Suns are successful; when not healthy, it is quite the opposite. The Suns were without Nash’s services for their game Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers and they paid the price as the Lakers shot over 57% in a version of Showtime that would have made Magic Johnson proud; the end result was Los Angeles destroying Phoenix 132-106 at Staples Center.
The Lakers exploded early as they scored 70 first-half points while shooting 62% from the floor; they would enjoy a 15-point cushion going into halftime. Los Angeles would go up by as many as 25 in the third quarter; the Suns would get no closer than 11 the rest of the way.
Los Angeles’ high scorer was Lamar Odom with 23 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks while Kobe Bryant added 22 with 4 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals; Pau Gasol poured in 16 with 9 rebounds, 4 assists and a block.
Phoenix was led by Leandro Barbosa with 18 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and a steal while Alando Tucker added 16 with 4 rebounds and an assist. Los Angeles (48-10) plays again on Friday when they fly to Denver to take on the Nuggets while Phoenix (32-25) returns home to host the Toronto Raptors – also on Friday night.
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