Phoenix Suns Defeat the Lakers in LA 114-104, Take the Second Place in the West

The Phoenix Suns aren’t kidding, as they posted another win tonight, this time against the reigning NBA champions, the LA Lakers, 114-104. Suns are not second in the West with 23 wins and 11 losses, surpassing the Lakers with tonight’s victory.

Phonix suffered a heavy blow in the third period, once the officials ejected Devin Booker, their leading scorer, and player. However, Dario Saric stepped up, surprising the Lakers and having one of the best performances this year in the crucial moments of the match.

The Croatian forward scored 10 points in the final period, ending tonight’s matchup with 21 buckets.

“We played hard from beginning to end. This is a team win, we played hard, we deserved it,” he said, following the game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wm8mPk3t8aw

The Suns were up from the start, having a double-digit lead early in the first period, but losing it in the second sequence. As time went by, the guests regained their lead, yet the Lakers were sticking around, not allowing Paul and the boys to make another push that might seal the match.

Once Booker got ejected midway through the third, it seemed that the LAL might turn this game upside down, but that didn’t happen. Saric took matters into his hands, and the Suns routinely closed the game despite having superb LeBron James across the court, with his best game of the campaign.

King James had 38 points while shooting 16-for-24 from the field. He used his power over guards to score from the low post, which earned him the season-high number of points. LBJ also had six assists and five rebounds in 38 minutes.

Apart from Dennis Schroder and Talen Horton-Tucker, there was no help for King James in tonight’s contest. These two scored 17 and 16 points, respectively, and the only one left who went above the 10-point mark was Markieff Morris with 12.

Since Anthony Davis got injured, things are not going well for the LAL, who now has three losses in the previous nine events, looking average in certain situations.

“Our guys are giving great effort and great hustle and great fight. You understand there’s a big picture here, and guys are keeping the big-picture mindset,” said Frank Vogel following the event.

On the other side, apart from Saric, the Suns also had Mikal Bridges with 19 points, six boards, and five assists, DeAndre Ayton, who had 17 points with five boards, and Jae Crowder, 15 points, four threes, and boards.

The guests from Arizona scored 16 threes in 29 tries, making that a 55.2% percent of shooting from downtown.

The Suns are now second in the West, which is the first time they occupy that high spot in the standings in March over the last 13 years. They would indicate this during Orlando bubble past season, finishing it as the only undefeated team. During the offseason, the Suns acquired Chris Paul, who upgraded the already present core, making the Suns a competitive team whose goal is not to enter the playoffs but make a deep run in it.

Up next, they head back home to meet the Golden State Warriors, and then travel to Portland to face the Blazers. Following these two games, the Suns have a five-game homestand, which is a nice chance to improve their excellent record.

As for the LAL, their next opponents are the Sacramento Kings on the road, and after that, the purple and gold head to LA to meet the Pacers before visiting the Warriors. In between the first two matches is the All-Star break.