Print

Mail

wiki links

NBA: Bryant outshines O’Neal to lead Lakers over Suns

The Los Angeles Lakers’ Andrew Bynum, left, has his shot blocked by the Phoenix Suns’ Amare Stoudemire in Phoenix, Arizona, on Thursday. PHOTO: AP

Kobe Bryant got the better of former teammate Shaquille O’Neal to guide the Los Angeles Lakers to a 105-92 win over the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.

Last season’s most valuable player scored 24 points as the Lakers defeated their Pacific Division rivals in the first meeting of the season between the two teams.

Los Angeles continued to play improved defense, forcing the Suns into 15 turnovers.

“This year we just concentrate on defense, and as long as we do it defensively we’ll be alright,” Lamar Odom told reporters.

Odom, making the transition from a starter to the team’s sixth man this year, recorded 13 points and nine rebounds.

“Coming off the bench I get to take my time and fill my role. I want to be a part of a championship team,” he said.

The Western Conference-leading Lakers (9-1) made 10 three-pointers and outscored the Suns 30-23 in the third quarter.

Bryant finished with 8-for-23 shooting, with five rebounds and three assists, while Vladimir Radmanovic made all five of his three-point attempts.

Amare Stoudemire led Phoenix with 21 points and eight rebounds while O’Neal added 15 and nine rebounds.

The Suns led 37-34 in the second quarter as O’Neal drew early fouls on Lakers center Andrew Bynum.

“They go into Shaquille more this season,” Bryant said. “Bynum just has to not be overzealous and stay fundamentally sound.”

Bryant scored six points in the final six minutes of the half where the Lakers took a 50-44 lead after a 16-7 run.

Los Angeles got 43 points from its bench as Jordan Farmer scored 11 and Trevor Ariza added 10.

Matt Barnes scored 12 and Grant Hill added 11 for the Suns who fell to 8-5 with the loss.

CELTICS 98, PISTONS 80

In a rematch of last year’s NBA Eastern Conference finals, Boston cruised past Detroit 98-80 on Thursday.

Boston’s Rajon Rondo had 18 points and eight assists, topping new Pistons acquisition Allen Iverson.

Iverson had 16 points and four assists for Detroit, which has a moderate 4-3 record since he was acquired from Denver in a trade.

Iverson helped the Pistons beat the previously undefeated Lakers and snap Cleveland’s eight-game win streak, but he hasn’t helped Detroit find a way to overcome the defending NBA champs.

The win extended Boston’s lead atop the Atlantic Division to five games.
This story has been viewed 421 times.