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

Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns warms up before the start of game one of the Western Conferenc...

Kellan Olson

Kevin Durant preaches execution over ‘rah-rah speeches’ for Suns

Kevin Durant did not choose to emphasize communication much as a key for the Suns to stay consistent and instead focused on execution.

2 hours ago

Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball during the second half in game one of the We...

Kellan Olson

Suns’ Grayson Allen questionable after re-injuring ankle vs. T-Wolves

Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen is questionable for Game 3 against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday after re-injuring his ankle.

2 hours ago

Aircorg the corgi predicts the Phoenix Suns to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves in six games....

Haboob Blog

The TikTok corgi is here if you are a Suns fan in need of hope

If you want to grasp at a final hopeful straw regarding whether the Phoenix Suns can extend their playoff run, the TikTok corgi is here.

1 day ago

Devin Booker's playable character in Call of Duty...

Bailey Leasure

Call of Duty teases Devin Booker as new playable character

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker will be available as a playable character in Call of Duty starting in May.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Empire of the Suns: Reaction to Suns still turning the ball over as of Game 2 of the playoffs

The Timberwolves scored 31 points off turnovers as the Phoenix Suns fell apart in Game 2 of the first-round series. Kellan Olson and Kevin Zimmerman react.

2 days ago

Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns shoots against Jaden McDaniels #3 of the Minnesota Timberwolve...

Kellan Olson

Suns unravel in usual fashion, T-Wolves take commanding 2-0 lead

The Phoenix Suns have made a habit this year of spiraling through self-inflicted mistakes and that continued in a Game 2 loss.

2 days ago

Suns Strokes: Suns fall to energetic Lakers on the road