Lakers 121, Suns 102

November 12th, 2009, 10:21 pm · 7 Comments · posted by KEVIN DING, OCREGISTER.COM

LOS ANGELES — The speedy Phoenix Suns are supposed to make opposing big centers look bad.

Andrew Bynum didn’t play along Thursday night, showing his improved agility and energy this season despite a two-game layoff with a strained right elbow. In the Lakers’ 121-102 dismissal of the team with the NBA’s best record to date, Bynum had his way inside against the defenseless Suns for 26 points on 13-of-18 shooting, plus 15 rebounds and three blocks.

Even with the second game of a back-to-back awaiting in Denver, Bynum logged 35 minutes, coming off to find an icepack for his elbow immediately awaiting him. On the flip side, Suns power forward Amare Stoudemire couldn’t shake free either in transition or via pick-and-rolls with Steve Nash. So Stoudemire was left to create on his own too often, and he couldn’t get cleanly to the rim against Bynum or Lamar Odom. Stoudemire, who came in shooting 57.3 percent from the field, missed 13 of his 15 field-goal attempts in an eight-point night.

As a team, the Suns came in shooting 50.8 percent from the field during their 8-1 start. They shot 36.5 percent against the Lakers.

Suns guard Jason Richardson was given the unenviable task of holding Kobe Bryant out of the post position he is enjoying so much lately. Richardson upset Bryant with one particularly extra slash after a foul — drawing a technical foul from referee Steve Javie — and Sasha Vujacic also drew a technical foul for trying to come at Richardson on Bryant’s behalf.

As the game wore on, Bryant turned to the next step in his post game when a defender tries too hard to deny the entry pass: He shook Richardson by spinning back to the goal and accepting a lob pass at the rim. Bryant had 29 points on 13-of-21 shooting in 33 minutes of play, playing in splendid rhythm even after basically sitting out both of the Lakers’ practices Tuesday and Wednesday to rest.

With the victory, Phil Jackson (1,048-436) tied Larry Brown for fifth on the NBA’s all-time regular-season coaching victory chart.

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Pinky says:

November 12, 2009 at 11:39 pm

How far have the Lakers come in five years? Five years ago, the Suns were running them over and Steve Nash was winning MVPs, while Kobe was dragging sorry teams to the playoffs.

It must feel good for the Lakers to be back on top.

J-Dizzle says:

November 13, 2009 at 12:33 am

Don’t ya just love how Andrew Bynum continued to justify his contract in getting 26pts 15reb and 3blks? Such a solid game.

deezy76 says:

November 13, 2009 at 7:50 am

I loved it, especially all 15 of those boards! Folks had a fit because he had 3 boards in that one game…what they gotta say now?
- J-Dizzle says:
  
  November 13, 2009 at 9:17 am
  
  Nada. I keep trying to rub salt into the wounds of certain people on here, namely one though. Just need him to stay healthy for the season and go through no serious injuries and I think all will be justified. Here’s to hoping no one is in a position to hurt Bynum, since it seems to be others hurting him and not him getting hurt himself.

BostonSX says:

November 13, 2009 at 12:49 am

Suns beat Boston. Lakers beat Suns. Can’t wait shut them green old timers down again.

Footnote: Can’t wait to see Bynum dunk on the Big Blubber.

urdoo says:

November 13, 2009 at 8:04 am

Bynum is a beast… let’s keep it up. But I still wonder how it’s all gonna shake out once Pau returns.

November 13, 2009 at 9:19 am

Pau will slip in. Don’t expect him to play 40 minutes. Maybe closer to 25-30 when he returns and eventually 30-35. Expect Bynum also to allow Pau to get more rest on the bench as well so to conserve him for the playoffs. I think Bynum will be a 20/10 guy all season.

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