Suns fall at Lakers as Kaman goes off: By The Numbers

Mar 31, 2014, 4:07 AM | Updated: 4:07 am

For the first time in a long time, the Phoenix Suns got a bit of help in the playoff race.

The Golden State Warriors fell to the New York Knicks and the Memphis Grizzlies lost to the Portland Trail Blazers — giving the Suns a chance to close to within a half-game of Golden State and extend their lead to 1.5 games over Memphis, which currently sits a half-game out of the playoff picture.

But, for the first time in a long time, the Suns laid an egg on the road, falling 115-99 to the lowly Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday and failing to make any headway in the playoff race.

Here’s a closer look at the disappointing loss, by the numbers:

9

It’s been nine years since the Suns last completed a season sweep of the Lakers — something they had a chance to do Sunday — by winning every contest against them in the 2004-05 season.

11

Former Suns guard Kendall Marshall dished out 11 assists for the Lakers to go along with 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting.

22

Phoenix guard Gerald Green scored a team-high 22 points, including 11 straight during a white-hot run that saw the Suns take a 37-36 lead in the second quarter.

28

Los Angeles center Chris Kaman went off for 28 points and 12 rebounds on 13-of-19 shooting — well above his season average of 9.8 points per game.

36

The Suns put up a ridiculous 36 3-pointers on Sunday, connecting on just eight of them. Phoenix has averaged 9.5 makes on 25.2 attempts from long range this season.

38.5

The Suns shot 38.5 percent against a bad defensive Lakers team — often settling for jumpshots, though many of them were decent looks that didn’t fall.

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Los Angeles Lakers forward Jordan Hill (27) battles Phoenix Suns forward Channing Frye, back right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 30, 2014, in Los Angeles.(AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)

Phoenix Suns forward Shavlik Randolph (43) battles Los Angeles Lakers center Chris Kaman (9) as he goes to the basket in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 30, 2014, in Los Angeles.(AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kent Bazemore (6) drive on Phoenix Suns guard Gerald Green (14) for a basket on a fast break in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 30, 2014, in Los Angeles.(AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)

Los Angeles Lakers center Chris Kaman. back right, drives on Phoenix Suns center Miles Plumlee (22) for a basket in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 30, 2014, in Los Angeles.(AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)

Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek reacts during a timeout as Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) looks on in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Sunday, March 30, 2014, in Los Angeles.(AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kendall Marshall (12) guards Phoenix Suns guard Ish Smith (3) as he looks for the open in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 30, 2014, in Los Angeles.(AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)

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