The Los Angeles Lakers secured a 116-114 victory over the Phoenix Suns on December 14 at Crypto.com Arena, closing out a tightly contested matchup that remained undecided until the final possessions. The result marked another close regular-season meeting between two Western Conference teams accustomed to tight finishes.
The opening quarter featured an up-tempo pace from both sides. Phoenix found early success from beyond the arc, while the Lakers focused on attacking the paint in transition. Los Angeles converted several fast-break opportunities and limited second-chance points, allowing the home team to carry a narrow lead into the second quarter.
Suns Respond in Second Quarter
Phoenix adjusted defensively in the second period, increasing ball pressure and forcing turnovers that led to quick scoring chances. The Suns briefly moved ahead midway through the quarter as their perimeter shooting improved. The Lakers responded by stabilizing possessions and generating offense through half-court sets, closing the half on a short run to regain a slim advantage at halftime.
Both teams entered the locker room separated by only a few points, reflecting a balanced first half that included multiple lead changes and efficient shooting stretches.
Momentum Swings After Halftime
The third quarter saw momentum shift repeatedly as each team made adjustments on both ends of the floor. Phoenix emphasized ball movement to create open looks, while the Lakers countered with interior scoring and timely perimeter shots. Neither team was able to establish consistent separation, and the quarter ended with the score nearly even.
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Late Execution Decides Outcome
The fourth quarter slowed considerably as possessions became more deliberate. The Lakers briefly built a multi-possession lead through efficient scoring in the paint and disciplined defensive rotations. Phoenix responded with a late push, cutting the deficit to one possession in the final minute.
With the score tied in the closing moments, Los Angeles executed a set that resulted in points near the rim, followed by a defensive stop on the ensuing possession. Phoenix had a final opportunity to tie or take the lead, but the Lakers held defensively to preserve the two-point win.
Looking Ahead
Los Angeles finished the game with contributions spread across the rotation, while controlling key situational areas such as defensive rebounding and free-throw efficiency in the closing minutes. Phoenix’s comeback effort was fueled by perimeter shooting and pressure defense, but the Suns were unable to convert on their final attempt.
The December 14 matchup added another close result to the recent history between the two teams, who have frequently met in competitive regular-season and postseason games. Both teams continued to manage rotations as they progressed through the regular-season schedule.
