Tonight's "Game of the Night" features the L.A Lakers visiting the Phoenix Suns. The Suns were hoping to avoid a second straight home defeat to open the season while the Lakers looked to make it two in a row to open the year after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder on opening night. In typical Lakers vs Suns fashion, the game opened up in high scoring fashion. The Lakers pounded the Suns early with Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum scoring at will in the paint , scoring 14 of the Lakers first 16 points. Steve Nash broke down the Lakers defense to open up the perimeter for Vince Carter to drill three 3-pointers in the first quarter. Both teams shot a high percentage to start the game and the Suns led 30-28 at the end of one. Kobe Bryant only took one shot, playing the role of distributor, and tallying four assists.
The Laker bench took over the second quarter behind Lamar Odom. Looking to rebound from a disappointing playoff performance, Odom got off to strong start as the Lakers built an eight point lead to open the second. With Bryant, Gasol, and Bynum on the bench, Odom scored 13 straight Laker points and added four rebounds in the first six minutes. Steve Blake provided a defensive spark, limiting Nash's penetration and stifled the Suns offense. The Laker lead grew to fourteen by the end of the quarter as the Lakers held the Suns to just 15 points in the quarter and led 57-43 at halftime. Lamar Odom leading all scorers with 18 points.
Phoenix closed the gap in the third quarter behind Nash, Carter, and the inside presence of Marcin Gortat. Gortat's rebounding and interior defense anchored the Suns while Nash and Carter rained shots from the perimeter to cut the Laker lead to five at the end of three. Bryant remained a periphery figure scoring just 8 points through three quarters. The end of the third , the Lakers led 76-71.
The fourth quarter was a lot like the second as Odom and the Laker bench once again extended the lead back into double digits. Matt Barnes's agressive perimeter defense frustrated Carter and led to double technicals when Carter elbowed Barnes and Barnes throwing the ball at Carter. Odom continue to cut the Suns apart on his way to a game high 28 points. Gasol and Bryant re-entered the contest to close the deal as the Suns could never get the deficit closer than eight. The Lakers cruised to the finish line to pick up victory number two with a 101-89 victory
Old Guard vs Old Guard
Kobe Bryant: 14 points, 5-15 fg, 7 assists
Steve Nash: 24 points, 8 assists, 5 turnovers
Other Scores
Minnesota 88, Philadelphia 82
Milwaukee 99, Charlotte 97
Toronto 101, Cleveland 95
Boston 78, Atlanta 94
Indiana 95, Oklahoma City 100 (OT)
Dallas 102, San Antonio 101
Sacramento 112, Golden State 122
Portland 93, LA Clippers 99
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