The Los Angeles Lakers will welcome the Phoenix Suns to the Staples Center tonight and renew their division rivalry. The Lakers and Suns have turned up the intensity in this rivalry since the beginning of the new millennium. This season the Suns are not much of a threat in the Western Conference, but with Steve Nash running the show it will definitely make for an exciting game. Today we take a look at some of the best matchups between the Lakers and Suns, and although it was hard to narrow it down to just five, the countdown will contain some great games with great finishes.
5.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns
March 22, 2011
The Lakers and Suns met at Staples last season and turned a regular season game into one of the best of the season. The winner had to be decided after three overtime periods, and finally the Lakers were able to come out on top 139-137. Kobe Bryant would contribute with 42 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists and Steve Nash dropped 20 dimes in a losing effort. Each team had opportunities to go ahead for good, but both teams were relentless. This was a hard earned victory for the Lake Show.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdVFD7DtuGA
4.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns
May 29, 2010- Western Conference Finals: Game 6
The Los Angeles Lakers were hungry to eliminate the Phoenix Suns in Game 6 and focus their sights on the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. Not only were they on course to repeat, but this time it was for redemption. The game was close throughout, but the Lakers would build a comfortable lead in the fourth quarter. The Suns would not go down without a fight and they would get it down to three with about two minutes remaining. In those last couple of minutes the Black Mamba’s killer instinct would be in full effect and he would take it upon himself to eliminate the Suns. With about 40 seconds to go, Kobe would hit the dagger over Grant Hill, thus giving the Lakers the Western Conference title.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-4SgEKEhDM&feature=related
Next Page: For the Win!
3.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns
May 27, 2010- Western Conference Finals: Game 5
Continuing with the 2010 Western Conference Finals, the Lakers and Suns would meet up with the always pivotal Game 5. Unlike the familiar script, this game’s hero would be the Laker formerly known as Ron Artest. The Lakers were up by three, but the Suns still had a chance to tie the game up, and it took two missed three points shots and two offensive rebounds until finally Jason Richardson would bank in a game-tying three. With the game tied at 101, the Lakers would give the rock to Kobe to try and avoid taking the game into overtime. With time expiring Kobe would miss a difficult three, but Metta World Peace would rebound the miss and manage to get the put-back at the buzzer. The victory would give the Lakers the 3-2 series lead with an opportunity to close the Suns out in Phoenix.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0qPoWAgsF8
2.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns
May 10, 2000- Western Conference Semi-Finals: Game 2
The Los Angeles Lakers were in search of their first championship since the Showtime era, and in the 2000 NBA playoffs they squared off against the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Semi-Finals. Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal would face Jason Kidd and Penny Hardaway for a ticket to the conference finals. The Lakers had a one game lead in the series and in Game 2 were in danger of losing home court advantage in the series. Down by a point with about 14 seconds left, Kobe Bryant would wait for the clock to wind down until he pulled up for the jumper with Jason Kidd all over him. The shot would give the Lakers a one point lead with just two seconds remaining, and the Suns would not reclaim the lead after that. This instance was huge because it was the Laker’s first title run since 1988, and a young Kobe would show his greatness in the clutch.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HF73m3RJpCo
Next: The Black Mamba Strikes Again…and then Again!!!
1.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns
April 30, 2006-Western Conference 1st Round: Game 4
Kobe Bryant was now the leader of the Lakers but they were going through a rebuilding stage with Shaquille O’Neal now in Miami. The Lakers went into the 2006 playoffs as the number seven seed, and no real expectations to make a serious run in the playoffs. Going into Game 4 the Lakers were up 2-1, with an opportunity to take a commanding series lead. The Suns would have a two point lead and the ball with less than eight seconds to go in regulation. The Lakers would steal the inbounds pass and Kobe would tie the game with an amazing layup over multiple Suns defenders. The game would go into overtime and with 6.1 seconds remaining and Luke Walton battling Steve Nash at center court for the jump ball the Lakers were once again down, but this time by just one point. Walton would tip the ball to Kobe and the rest is history!
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACZnF87Iy84