The Lakers took on the Suns in Phoenix for their first sweep of a back-to-back this season. The Lakers are riding a two game win streak and are without Kobe Bryant again. Bryant didn’t make the trip to the desert and is now considered day-to-day. There were rumors that Pau Gasol might suit up tonight, but he won’t. The Lakers will have to rely on Dwight Howard and Steve Nash to continue their hot play without Bryant.
Lets get to the highlights:
An MWP reverse layup after a nice first step has LAL up 12-8; Howard has 7 pts, 4 rebs, is 3 of 3 at the FT line.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) March 19, 2013
Steve Blake checks into the game and immediately dishes to Nash for an open layup. #TheSteves
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) March 19, 2013
Nash and Howard combine for 21 of the #Lakers 25 points in the 1st. Lakers lead Suns 25-21. #golakers
— TWC SportsNet (@TWCSportsNet) March 19, 2013
Scola has done a great job of frustrating Howard tonight. Just does everything to get under his skin. You love this if you’re Phoenix.
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) March 19, 2013
Devin Ebanks time. … PHX 92, LAL 75 with 2:48 left.
— KEVIN DING (@KevinDing) March 19, 2013
Lakers struggling right now in Phoenix. Suns leading 40-35 w/ 5:55 left in the 2nd.
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) March 19, 2013
Suns shooting w/o any concerns right now & the shots are falling. Lakers down 8 & need to pick up their intensity & execution on both ends.
— Darius Soriano (@forumbluegold) March 19, 2013
Jodie Meeks stopped a 7-0 Suns run to start the 2nd w/Howard sitting. Meeks had missed his first 3, & was 3 for 17 in last 3 games.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) March 19, 2013
Suns leading the Lakers 30-29 early in the 2nd. Have to start getting some contributions from role guys if you’re LA. bit.ly/15X6vpr
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) March 19, 2013
Dwight looks tired. Settled for another 16 foot bank two possessions ago then traveled on a nice dish from Nash on the next one.
— Darius Soriano (@forumbluegold) March 19, 2013
Lakers just look awful right now. Nothing is working and they’re giving Phoenix nothing but open looks. 47-42, Suns.
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) March 19, 2013
Halftime – Suns leading the Lakers 47-44. Considering how bad the Lakers looked in that half, down three is a blessing.
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) March 19, 2013
Remember how Coach Kobe yelled at Dwight in Indy to take his time? He’s 4 of 14, unable to make rushed shots in lane. … PHX 47, LAL 44.
— KEVIN DING (@KevinDing) March 19, 2013
Jodie Meeks made a running floater? What?
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) March 19, 2013
That triple from Ron was the first 3-pointer for the Lakers since the first quarter. It also pulls LA back within four.
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) March 19, 2013
Howard hit a 17-footer, and is now 2 for 4 on jump shots tonight. He’s only 3 for 13 around the paint, the major surprise.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) March 19, 2013
The Lakers have continued to look sluggish on offense tonight. They trail 65-58 and are shooting 39% from the field.
— Lakers Nation Intern (@LNIntern) March 19, 2013
Antawn Jamison’s last 2 games:22.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 58.3% FG’s, 60% 3-PT FG’s. Tonight, he’s 0 for 2 in 13 minutes thus far. LAL down 9.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) March 19, 2013
Lakers with a double digit deficit for the first time tonight against the Phoenix Suns
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) March 19, 2013
Blake. Three. Money.
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) March 19, 2013
The Lakers were down 11, but a couple of 3s from Steve Blake and Antawn Jamison have them down 71-66.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 19, 2013
LAL back down by 10, the 2 guys who killed ’em last time in this building (Scola & Beasley) scoring 4 straight. 9:15 left for LAL.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) March 19, 2013
Earl feeling bad about taking that rebound away from Dwight and losing it. (And Dwight’s stares made sure he felt bad.) … PHX 82, LAL 70.
— KEVIN DING (@KevinDing) March 19, 2013
The Lakers have scored four points in the first seven minutes of the 4th quarter. That’s not going to get it done.
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) March 19, 2013
FInal: Suns 99, LAL 76. LAL end the 4th Q as poorly as they started it, being outscored 28-10 in the period. Season low in points.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) March 19, 2013