New FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Suns - Game 2

New FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Suns – Game 2

Franchise Sports Media

Los Angeles Lakers (0-2) | Phoenix Suns (1-1)

The Los Angeles Lakers dropped their second straight game of the young season, falling to the Phoenix Suns 115-105.

The game started off with a 7-2 run by the Suns, with Jae Crowder and Mikal Bridges conducting the scoring for the team. The Lakers fought back to tie the game and keep it close by the 7:27 mark of the first quarter as Russell Westbrook put up six points in four minutes. The teams would trade baskets with neither team gaining the slight edge for a few possessions until LeBron James sunk a three to put the Lakers up by five halfway through the quarter. The Lakers led by as much as seven in the first quarter, but a late three from Abdel Nader and then a dunk from Cameron Johnson had the Lakers leading 26-23 after one.

The Lakers began the second quarter with foul trouble despite maintaining the slight gap in their lead. The Suns’ first five points of the quarter were via the free throw. Los Angeles’s frequent troubles with fouling caught up to them as the Suns generated momentum throughout the quarter. Phoenix’s dynamic duo of Chris Paul and Devin Booker scored their first points of the game in the second quarter, including 11 from Paul and six from Booker. The Lakers were not able to maintain possession or avoid fouls in the second quarter and fell behind at the half 57-44.

After the break, the Lakers looked to fight back and get back into the game. The two teams traded baskets with four points apiece, including a three from James. After maintaining a 13 point deficit, the Suns caught another burst of momentum as Deandre Ayton threw down a dunk in the paint, followed by five points from the Booker-Paul tandem. The Suns dominated the third quarter much like they did in the second quarter, with Booker catching fire and scoring 11 points in the third. Anthony Davis would end the quarter with four straight points, but the Lakers were down 94-67 after the third quarter.

Carmelo Anthony started the fourth quarter with a three hoping to generate momentum, but Phoenix answered back with a three from Cameron Johnson.

Two minutes in, James threw a dunk to cut the deficit to 22, and the game went scoreless until the 8:12 mark with free throws from Anthony. The Lakers struggled to maintain a 20 point deficit as Booker drained another three off of an Austin Reaves three for Los Angeles. After another tradeoff, the Lakers scored seven straight points to cut the Suns’ lead to 107-95 with points from Davis and Reaves.

Crowder stopped the Suns’ bleeding with a three pointer of his own, but Anthony made a three followed by a Westbrook jump shot. The Lakers were down 10 with just 1:21 left in the game, leaving them in intentional foul territory to try and get back into it. The Suns made their free throws when needed and ultimately pulled the game out of reach as the Lakers went on to lose their second game in as many this season by a score of 115-105.

It was a collective effort for Phoenix, as four starters had double-digit points. Paul had a double-double with 23 points and 14 assists, while Booker had 22 points along wit 21 from Bridges and 13 from Crowder. The Lakers’ Big Three of James, Davis, and Westbrook had a collective showing, as James led all scorers with 25 with Davis having a double-double at 22 points and 14 rebounds. Westbrook had a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Anthony had a relatively efficient game off the bench scoring 16 points in 25 minutes of action.

Things did get interesting during a timeout in the game, as Davis and Dwight Howard got into a disagreement with each other on the bench and had to be separated. When asked after the game about the incident, both Howard and Davis told reporters they had “already squashed it.”

The Lakers will wrap up their opening three-game homestand Sunday October 24th at Staples Center against the Memphis Grizzlies. The game will start at 6:30 pm and can be seen on Spectrum SportsNet.

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 – Matt Dobbs – Franchise Sports Media

Follow Matt on Twitter @RecordBowlerFSM

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