The Phoenix Suns blinded the Los Angeles Lakers as they hand them their second defeat Sunday night
The Los Angeles Lakers were left stunned against the Phoenix Suns 121-116 as the latter outscored them with their 3 pointers and handed them their second straight defeat of the season at their own home ground. The Denver Nuggets were the other team
to achieve this and beat the Lakers 118-112 on Thursday at Denver, CO. The game was a tic tac toe with the Nuggets going for the tics, tacs and toes as well.
The Suns realized the dynamics of a strong Lakers side and relied heavily on spreading the play. Hitting the three pointers almost with eyes closed the Suns scored the second most three pointers in the history of NBA on Sunday. The Lakers, on the receiving
end, could only watch helplessly as a three-pointer assault was launched at them and the two time defending league champions were handed their second successive defeat of the season.
Jason Richardsons was the top player with his 34 points that hit the Suns their victory. Steve Nash scored 21 points and added 13 assists, Channing Frye made 20 points and Hedo Turkoglu made 17 points for the victorious Suns. This was the first time
since January 17, 2008 that the Suns defeated the Lakers at their home ground.
The Phoenix Suns had 22 out of 40 from a 2 point range missing on the 23 point record made by Orlando Magic against the Sacramento Kings in January 2009. They also became the team with the most 3 pointers against the Lakers, improving their own record
of 19 made back in 2005.
Jason Richardson scored seven 3s, Hedo Turkoglu made five whereas Channing Frye made four. It was the effort of all these players that made it possible for the Suns to shoot better from behind the arc (55 percent) rather than from the floor (51 percent).
Both the teams made a combined 31 3s which is second highest in the history of league after the 32 3s made by Phoenix Suns and Seattle SuperSonics on January 22, 2006.
With 28 points and 17 rebounds, Pau Gasol was the lead scorer for the Lakers. Kobe Bryant was bright with his 25 points, 14 assists and nine rebounds, Lamar Odom lighted the burden by sharing his 22 points and 11 rebounds whereas Ron Artest scored
13 points. Shannon Brown was off the bench player and he added 12 points to the box.
It was the third quarter that proved to be the most decisive. While the Suns went 6 of 9 from a three point range, the Lakers kept trailing behind them. Nash hit from long point range and Richardson added two more 3s weakening the Lakers defense further.
The Phoenix Suns leaped into the fourth quarter with a 92-84 lead.
Frye started the fourth quarter with yet another 3 pointer that gave the Phoenix an 11 point lead over the Lakers. The Lakers did go on the offensive when Brown came forward to blow the game with two of his own 3s. Matt Barnes then added a dunk that
brought the Lakers within a two point gap at 104-102.
Steve Nash, though, kept the Suns ahead 112-109 when he made his eight straight points that included a free throw against Lamar Odom who committed a technical foul. Turkoglu swept the Lakers off their feet when he scored yet another three pointer right
after the timeout.
Robin Lopez (C) did not return for the second half after he sprained his left knee. Steve Blake had a bad stomach and had to sit down the rest of the game.
The Phoenix Suns will play against Denver on Monday, Miami on Wednesday, and Orlando on Thursday. As for the Los Angeles Lakers, they will play against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, Detroit on Wednesday and the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.
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