Nov

13

Bryant, Bynum Helps Lakers Race Past Suns 121-102

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA Game Recap 

The Phoenix Suns are one of the higher scoring teams in the NBA as are the Los Angeles Lakers; having said that, you just know when these two teams get together, there is scoring aplenty and defense is an afterthought. Thursday’s game between the Lakers and Suns would prove to be no different – for at least one club. And truth be told, the game wasn’t very competitive at all. The Lakers shot a scorching 57.6% while the Suns shot an ice-cold 36.5%; Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum led the Lakers massacre as they combined for 55 points, leading Los Angeles to the relatively easy win over Phoenix 121-102 at Staples Center.

The Lakers were hot early and would continue to remain so as they accumulated a double-digit lead at 24-13 courtesy of a Lamar Odom layup with 2:29 left in the period; a layup by Leandro Barbosa with one second remaining would narrow the Suns’ deficit to seven at 31-24. Los Angeles would accumulate yet again a double-digit lead at 47-37 a bit over halfway through the second quarter as Bryant drained a jumper; the Lakers would increase their advantage to 59-45 on a Bryant free throw with 4 ticks left on the game clock – a lead they would take to their locker room at halftime.

The defining moment in the game for the Lakers was when they went on a 15-0 explosion, capped by a Bryant basket, giving Los Angeles a 25-point lead at 80-55 with 5:37 left in the period. Both teams would exchange baskets for the balance of the quarter as Los Angeles went into the final 15 minutes comfortably ahead 92-71. The fourth quarter would find Phoenix treading water as the Lakers would hold as much as a 25-point lead, icing the game  at the 7:52 mark on a dunk by Shannon Brown.

Bryant led all Lakers scorers with 29 points with 4 rebounds and 4 assists while Bynum scored 26 with 15 rebounds, an assist and 3 blocks; Josh Powell acquitted himself well off the bench as he chipped in 14 with 7 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal. Jared Dudley led Phoenix with 14 points (including three 3-pointers), 6 rebounds and a steal while Steve Nash added 13 with 5 assists. Los Angeles plays again on Friday when they travel to Denver to take on the Nuggets while Phoenix (8-2) doesn’t play again until Sunday when they host the Toronto Raptors.


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