A barrage of three-pointers by the Phoenix Suns gave them a 56-53 halftime lead over the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on Sunday night in Los Angeles. The Suns, who took the lead with a 16-2 run near the end of the second quarter, made 12 out of 20 shots from beyond the arc. Phoenix was led by Jason Richardson, who had 18 points and made four of his five three-point attempts.
The Lakers, who lead the league in lowest turnover percentage (12.0 per 100 plays), had a whopping 12 turnovers in the first half. Pau Gasol had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers. After 15 games as a Laker without collecting 10 rebounds against Phoenix, Gasol reached double digits in the first half! Kobe Bryant seems is well on his way to another triple-double, scoring 14 points, getting five rebounds, and dishing out seven assists in the first half.
Phoenix shot 50% in the first half, including 68.4% in the second quarter (13-of-19 from the field). The Suns made seven of their 11 three-point attempts in the second period. The Lakers shot 48.9% in the first half, and out-rebounded the Suns 25-16. Lamar Odom led the Lakers with 15 points.
The Lakers have won their two previous Sunday night home games this season by a combined 49 points, but tonight has been a much closer affair. In defeating Golden State on October 31, the Lakers were up by 18 points at halftime en route to a 24-point victory. Last Sunday, against Portland, the Lakers led by 22 at halftime on their way to a 25-point blowout.
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