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Early on in the Western Conference finals between the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers, things did not look so good for the Suns as the Lakers were getting key contributions from the usual suspects.

But all of a sudden, Phoenix has made themselves relevant in the series as they won their previous game on Sunday, making it a 2-1 series and making it important that the Suns win Game 4.

The bench would prove to be important in this one as the Suns’ bench outscored the Lakers’ bench 54-20, led by Channing Frye as he went long-distance four times while Phoenix would pull away late in the fourth quarter and beat Los Angeles 115-106 at US Airways Center.

After a non-descript 23-23 first quarter, the Suns exploded for a series-high 41 points, shooting an obscene 74 percent – 7-of-10 from beyond the arc – as the backups led the way.

Kobe Bryant would come alive for Los Angeles by scoring 15 points in the second quarter; Bryant had 16 more in the third quarter, his 3-pointer with 2:20 to play finally catching the Suns at 81-all with 2:20 left. Pau Gasol made one of two free throws to put the Lakers ahead for the first time since the opening period, but Dragic made two free throws with 31 seconds left to put Phoenix ahead 85-84 entering the fourth.

Jordan Farmar opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer, his only basket in five shots all night, to give the Lakers an 87-85 lead, but Barbosa responded with a 22-footer to tie it. Lou Amundson scored inside on a pass from Dudley, then Frye sank a 3-pointer and Phoenix led 92-87.  That was the first of three consecutive 3s for Phoenix, the second by Barbosa and third by Dudley to make it 98-89.

Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry kept all five reserves in the game for almost the first nine minutes of the final quarter, and they produced an 18-3 run, and the Lakers never recovered. When Steve Nash re-entered with 3:05 to play, those subs — usually playing against the Los Angeles starters — had turned an 87-85 deficit into a 103-94 lead.

Six Suns players scored in double-digits, led by Amare Stoudemire with 21 points and 8 rebounds while Nash added 15 with 4 rebounds, 8 assists and a steal; Frye and Leandro Barbosa chipped in 14 apiece – with Frye draining 4 three-pointers, grabbed 6 rebounds, dished out an assist, along with a steal and block while Barbosa dishing out 2 assists.

The Lakers were led by Bryant with a game-high 38 points (including 6 treys), 7 rebounds, 10 assists, a steal and a block while Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom each scored 15 – with Gasol grabbing 5 rebounds, dishing out 3 assists, along with 4 blocks while Odom grabbed 10 boards, dished out 3 assists, along with a steal.

Game 5 of this series between Phoenix and Los Angeles will take place on Thursday night from Staples Center.