Recap: Suns defeated Lakers at Staples despite Devin Booker’s expulsion, 114-104

There was a decisive word to describe the atmosphere of this game: energy.

Energy, energy, energy – and both teams were diligent in ensuring that a difficult situation did not happen due to lack of effort.

Diving in search of missing balls, hard fouls and stubborn conversations were all pertinent, and each unit set up an exhibition that would sum up a first Western Conference playoff match.

And they could very well face off in a series of postseason in the coming months.

The stars were lined up, although some (mostly Anthony Davis) were out, tensions were high and skills were in prime time, when two titans faced off in one of the most important fights of this season for both of them.

If they lose, the Lakers will give up their second place at the conference.

And nothing could be sweeter for Phoenix than winning a victory against defending champions.

Vitória do Suns, 114-104

1st quarter

The breadth of the high-volume scoring power of each team was brandished quickly after the complaint.

Jae Crowder threw home a 3-ball to open the scoring for the case, and Mikal Bridges added a trey of his own to make it 6-0 early in the game.

Lakeshow went back while Markieff Morris took a step back jay, and Lebron began to unravel his long list of deadly offensive moves to plant his stake in the scoring column.

Chippy gameplay and chirping began to emerge shortly afterwards – a sentiment that fully confirmed the importance both units placed on this confrontation before the All-Star break.

Monty Williams showed a clear desire to dominate from below, and opportunities for Deandre Ayton skyrocketed with Marc Gasol on the sidelines. Ayton ate heartily while Chris Paul fed him low entry passes, and his early dominance became a weakness for Frank Vogel and his defense.

Phoenix had a 24-15 lead after Cam Johnson hit a deep ball, holding on to a decent cushion when he entered the 29-21 halftime break.

2nd Quarter

Clearly dissatisfied with his team’s difficult start, Lebron James decided to take care of the matter of picking up a bucket.

The king unleashed a torrent of high-powered attacks and cuts in kid-running while exercising his reign in the inner block, pushing his squad back into containment.

Talen Horton-Tucker joined Lebron in his scoring governance and took advantage of some chances of isolation to keep the Lakers in it.

They showed a feverish increase in defensive intensity as well, and some timely interceptions led to easy transition openings that allowed Lebron to show the timeless elasticity of his 36-year-old legs. Their firmness in that end triggered a 16-5 straight that gave them a 37-36 lead.

CP3 displayed its fleeting magic in numerous half-court possessions as it struggled to preserve the Suns’ initial onslaught, and its calm cunning allowed them to regain a comfortable edge as the room ended.

Phoenix provided 12 assists in 13 baskets made in an epic display of efficiency, and kicked off their own 8-2 run, aided by Dario Saric and Cam Johnson who gave them an almost 10 point advantage.

A hit of 3 hitting Mikal Bridges’ doorbell put Pheonix 60-53, going into the break. They started halfway with an open corner 3, and ended chameleonically.

“It ended as it started,” in the words of commentator Jim Jackson.

Devin Booker had 15 points at the break, while Bridges finished the first half with 11. Phoenix kicked 10/17 past the arc.

Lebron scored 15 in the first two.

3rd Quarter

The Suns returned to Ayton’s arsenal early in the second half.

And when he wasn’t getting face-to-face opportunities on the ball, he was the dizzying recipient of Devin Booker’s pitches.

Phoenix continued to shine offensively as the Book-Ayton duo increased their production.

Book put the Suns at nine points after converting a 3-point play into a skillful layup maneuver, which involved four points after James was hit by a coach.

His momentum was quickly drained from his hands, however, when a subsequent technique on Booker culminated in his expulsion from the game. He received the infraction after a not very friendly reaction to a phone call in which he added a little more mustard in a pass to the referee.

The move was costly for Phoenix, who quickly gave up his margin when LA took off in its own 7-0 run.

But Chris Paul was battle tested – and it was here that he showed how valuable his veteran presence is to this unit.

He was the CCC – cold, calm and controlled in the heat of the moment, and he kept the Lakers under control while stimulating several goal moves to reinforce his team’s leadership. Their pace of play has accelerated, but Paul is an architect of efficiency and his work in creating avenues for points is unmatched.

Phoenix came in fourth with a small 86-83 lead.

Ayton posted 17 to three.

4th Quarter

Phoenix is ​​a unit that refuses to be overcome. His best scorer had died. They received litanies of infractions for their irritation. And yet, they would not be denied.

The Lakers may have had more talent at their disposal throughout the quarter, but the Suns unloaded a series of great moves that ended up closing the door for LA’s furious attempt to return.

Chris Paul took down a 28-foot athlete to take the lead 93-85, before Abdel Nader and Mikal Bridges made consecutive jumpers.

Lebron and company kept the fire going, reducing the Suns’ lead to just five before Bridges accomplished a magnificent feat of court awareness and standing dexterity: saving a rebellious-headed air ball in the direction of Jae Crowder, who was waiting under the edge by an easy hit deuce.

Saric’s several striking contributions kept the Suns advantage close to double digits, and while Lebron threw home a pair of 3 deadeye balls, his efforts were futile for Phoenix’s stifling defense.

Mikal Bridges’ thunder jam was an emphatic death blow to any hint of Laker’s life, and Phoenix was able to escape the Stales Center with a 114-104 victory.

Lebron would finish with 38 points at 16-24 from the ground in defeat.

Meanwhile, the Suns moves to second place in the west.

Game player

Mikal bridges: 19 PTS, 6-10 FG, 3-6 3PT, 6 REB, 5 AST