Suns Defeat Lakers in Feisty Tuesday Night Affair
PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns emerged victorious over the Los Angeles Lakers by the tune of a 115-105 score on Tuesday night.
The likes of LeBron James and Chris Paul were out due to injury, but the contest still managed to be one for followers and fans alike.
Once again, the Lakers relied on the shoulders of Anthony Davis to carry the load for LA. During their three-game winning streak without James, Davis scored points of 30, 38 and 37.
Suns coach Monty Williams took notice prior to Tuesday's matchup.
“I mean the last three games tells the tale. His usage is up, he’s playing in his sweet spots a lot. I see him going right more than I have in the past. He used to just go left a lot, draw the foul or shoot the floater, now he’s getting to his right hand a lot and being able to finish that way; you know they run lobs for him," Williams said.
"This is the player that he’s always been. It’s kind of laughable when you hear all the stuff about the guy whose won a title and put up the numbers he’s put up. And All-Stars and All-NBA and all that stuff, I don’t think that’s ever come from anybody in this organization or building as far as doubting who he is as player and I’ve coached him, so I know how talented he is.”
Davis finished the night with 37 points and 21 rebounds. Tonight was the fourth straight game he's tallied 30 or more points.
Free throws again were not on the side of Phoenix, as the Lakers hit the 35 attempts compared to their mere five.
The Suns built as much as a ten point lead in the second quarter before the Lakers stormed back on a 18-4 run to head into the break with a 55-53 lead.
Mikal Bridges paved the way with 16 points in the opening two quarters. He finished tied with Devin Booker for the lead with 25.
Phoenix would go on a quick 12-2 run to regain that lead in the third quarter. They would carry their lead the rest of the way until the final buzzer sounded.
However, with 3:55 remaining, things got a bit chippy between the two teams. Booker was called for a foul and shot a quick look at the Lakers’ bench before Patrick Beverley ran to the scrum and shoved Ayton to the floor, which spurred a scrum between the two benches.
Booker was assessed a flagrant foul while Beverley received a double technical and was ejected.
The Suns are off until Friday when the Detroit Pistons come to town.
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