Steve Nash playing with a hip-related injury put up amazing stats with 19 points and 20 assists, Marcin Gortat and Channing Frye both had outstanding performances, but in the end, Bryant and the Lakers were just too much to handle. Ron Artest scored five of his 18 in overtime, while Kobe sank a huge 3 pointer that brought his total to 42. Other major contributors included Lamar Odam, who put up a double-double with 29 points and 11 rebounds, and Pau Gasol who put up 24 points and 13 rebounds.
In typical Laker style, they finished off the Suns with Kobe Bryant doing what he has done for years, making big plays in clutch situations. The final score made the game the highest scoring affair in the NBA this season with a total of 272 points. The only player to foul out was Grant Hill who contributed 11 points and 10 rebounds. In all six player ran up double-doubles, with Phoenix's bench contributing 54 points in their loss.
Phoenix now falls to three games back of the eighth spot, while the Lakers look playoff bound. There are however a lot of questions remaining about the Lakers after this game. How does a team as rich with talent as the Lakers are end up in triple overtime against a Suns team that has traded away key players, and are decimated by injuries?
With 10 games remaining in the season, it will be a rough road for Phoenix to make the playoffs. Which leaves people to question if Alvin gentry will be back as the Suns head coach next season....
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
