PHOENIX SUNS

Suns Strokes: Suns fall to energetic Lakers on the road

Nov 17, 2012, 7:18 AM | Updated: 7:18 am

Sure, you could read the box score and know who won, but we all know that won’t tell you everything that happened in a basketball game. So, we will give you Suns Strokes, providing you with the analysis, quotes and notes from the Suns’ 114-102 loss to the Lakers on November 16. Final Score: Lakers 114, Suns 102

The Good:

Goran Dragic was a bright spot for the Suns on offense. He scored 22 points and added seven assists and two rebounds.

Luis Scola also added 18 points, while Michael Beasley added 14 of his own along with a career-high nine assists.

The Bad:

The Suns’ defense was shoddy against a fast-paced, energetic Lakers attack. New head coach Mike D’Antoni wasn’t yet on the sidelines, as he was getting treatment for his knee in the Lakers’ locker room, but his presence was surely felt.

Phoenix couldn’t contain Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant, who netted 31 points for Los Angeles. Metta World Peace found ways to burn the Suns when it counted, sinking five three-pointers and scoring 22 points on the night.

The Suns have now dropped three of their last four games.

Noted:

• The Lakers put together a 17-2 run over the final two quarters to pull away.

• Former Suns’ icon Steve Nash didn’t face his former team as the Lakers point guard missed his seventh consecutive game with a small fracture in his left leg. He is expected to miss at least another week of action before getting examined again next weekend.

• The Suns continued their streak of falling behind early in games this season. They have now trailed by double digits in nine of their 10 games this year.

Up Next:

The Suns will host the defending champion Miami Heat on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.

Phoenix Suns

Victor Wembanyama defends Bradley Beal...

Kevin Zimmerman

James Jones touts Bradley Beal’s balance as Suns’ playoffs begin

Bradley Beal found a groove late in the regular season. James Jones spoke on him settling into his role before the playoffs.

2 hours ago

Jontay Porter received a lifetime ban for sports betting...

Arizona Sports

NBA gives Jontay Porter lifetime ban for sports betting

The NBA levied a lifetime ban on Jontay Portay after an investigation found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors.

8 hours ago

Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball against Jusuf Nurkic #20 and Kevi...

Kellan Olson

How the Suns shut down Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards so far this season

Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Anthony Edwards has struggled in all three meetings against the Suns. What could change in the first round?

9 hours ago

Domantas Sabonis lights the beam after beating the Warriors...

Associated Press

Sacramento Kings eliminate Golden State Warriors from play-in tournament

The Kings dealt the Warriors a bit of payback in emphatic fashion with a victory that might signal the end of a dynasty.

18 hours ago

Jusuf Nurkic dribbles down the court...

Arizona Sports

Suns’ Jusuf Nurkic posts ‘that’s all folks!’ after Kings take down Draymond Green, Warriors

Shortly after the Warriors were ran out of the play-in tournament by the Kings, Jusuf Nurkic took to X with a simple yet effective post.

18 hours ago

Kevin Durant and Anthony Edwards...

Arizona Sports

Full schedule: Suns-Timberwolves 1st round playoff series starts Saturday

The No. 6 seed Phoenix Suns will travel to meet the No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

19 hours ago

Suns Strokes: Suns fall to energetic Lakers on the road