For the first time in the 2015-16 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers won three games in a row when the purple and gold beat the Phoenix Suns, 97-77, on Sunday evening at Staples Center. Lou Williams led all scorers with 30 points.
Phoenix entered the game struggling on an eight-game losing streak. With Sunday's defeat, the Suns ended the night having dropped 20 of their last 25 games, as they continued their free fall after starting the season 7-5.
While the Suns have been falling apart in recent weeks, the Lakers have slowly gained momentum and confidence. LA clicked on both ends of the court early during Sunday's game and managed to open up a 15-point lead after one quarter. Worth mentioning, the Suns only had 10 points at that stage.
As the game wore on, the Suns did not improve, and the contest quickly turned into a feel-good training session for the Lakers. Even without Kobe Bryant, who missed his second straight game with a sore shoulder, the Lakers managed to take a 21-point lead into the halftime intermission. Phoenix only had 22 points at that stage.
It wasn't easy fitting all those highlights into two minutes, but we did our best. #GoLakers https://t.co/BccT6oSQaO — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 4, 2016
The Lakers would not slow down in the third period, as Williams caught fire and scored 17 points in the quarter to finish with 30 points, seven rebounds and four assists. LA would extend its lead to 38 points during that third quarter, but a Suns' rally resulted in the Lakers only leading by 30 points entering the final quarter.
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The Suns would rally and cut the deficit to 14 points in the fourth quarter, but LA never appeared in any real danger of losing the game. Still, Lakers coach Byron Scott did not take any chances and brought back his starters to finish the game.
Next, the 8-27 Lakers host the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center on Tuesday night.
Notes: Larry Nance Jr. finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds in 32 minutes, while Julius Randle finished two points and 12 reboounds in 22 minutes.
