Lakers-Suns Game One: Kobe Bryant Establishes Lakers Dominance

Everyone knew the Phoenix Suns stood little chance of stopping the Los Angeles Lakers' offense. Therefore, consensus suggested, coach Alvin Gentry needed to outscore the reigning NBA Champions.

 

Phoenix might need to reconsider its defensive approach. The Suns gave up three 30-point quarters in a 107-128 loss to the Kobe Bryant-led Lakers.

 

Bryant finished with 40 points, as he closed out the game with a phenomenal third quarter performance. Lamar Odom played himself into a double-double, with 19 points and 19 rebounds—and that was from the bench.

 

Pau Gasol added 21 points on 10-for-13 shooting.

 

Ron Artest had a great stat line, 14 points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals and no turnovers.

 

The Lakers had that kind of night.

 

Kobe torched the Suns in the third quarter, scoring 21 points.

 

He began the quarter shooting over veteran Grant Hill. He then crossed over Hill so hard that Hill ended up falling down—that ended up in another bucket for Kobe.

 

Hill would then get called for a technical foul, obviously venting frustration created by Kobe.

 

More than the points, or the Game One victory, Kobe established the Lakers' dominance.

 

Frankly, Monday's game makes you wonder—if the Suns can win a game—much less the series.

 

The Suns played nowhere near well enough to compete with the Mamba's Lakers. I type that on a night when, Nash got a double-double, on 13 points and 13 assists.

 

Amar'e Stoudemire led all Suns scorers with 23 points.

 

Overall the entire Phoenix roster played relatively well, it just had no answer for Bryant.

 

Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers