It wasn't too long ago that Lakers fans were talking about a sweep. Now they head back to Staples Center tied in the best-of-seven series tied, 2-2, with the Phoenix Suns. However, there likely isn't the widespread panic after the Lakers lost two in a row to Oklahoma City in the opening playoff round.
Tuesday, the margin was nine as the Suns won 115-106. The next game is Thursday in Los Angeles.
Once again, the Lakers were lead by Kobe Bryant, who had 38 points. Pau Gasol had 15, Ron Artest had 13 and Lamar Odom had 15 and Andrew Bynum and had 12.
Amare Stoudemire led the Suns with 21 points. Steve Nash had 15 with Leandro Barbosa and Channing Frye both getting 14 off the bench.
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With about 2:30 to play the Lakers cut the lead to six when Pau Gasol made a put back. But Amare Stoudemire made one of two. Lamar Odom then missed an unwise three and once again Stoudemire was sent to the line after a Gasol foul. He made both and at that point the Lakers chances were about done.
Suns 103, Lakers 94, 3:05 left in fourth quarter
After the time out Derek Fisher missed after a couple of misses the Suns turned the ball over on a shot-clock violation. But the Lakers didn't take advantage and fouled on the way back down the court. However. Louis Amundson made one of two free throws.
Lamar Odom missed one of two free throws and Leandro Barbosa made a two as did Goran Dragic. Time was running out on the Lakers.
But back-to-back baskets by Fisher and Ron Artest cut the lead to nine with a little over three minutes to play. Lot of points to make up, but not impossible.
Suns 98, Lakers 89, 6:47 remaining in fourth quarter
The start for the Lakers in the fourth quarter was not a good one as Kobe Bryant threw the ball away but Goran Dragic had his shot blocked down the court.
Jordan Farmar then hit a three and the Lakers were back in the lead. Leandro Barbosa answered with a two but this time down the court Farmar missed. Louis Amundson then got a two and Phoenix was up by two.
After a couple of misses and a turnover and a timeout, Phoenix had a chance to extend the lead to four and they did one better as Channing Frye hit a three, his fourth of the game.
Andrew Bynum then made a put back that stopped a 7-0 Suns run but Leandro Barbosa came back with a three and a six-point lead.
Jordan Farmar missed a three but Jared Dudley did not and the Phoenix lead was nine.
Suns 95, Lakers 89, 6:56 remaining in fourth quarter
Suns take control with a 7-0 run. Whenever they need a big basket, they hit it.
Suns 85, Lakers 84, end of third quarter
Coming out of a timeout, Amare Stoudemire hit an easy jumper, which was answered with a three by Kobe Bryant and the game was tied.
Stoudemire, showing confidence, made a two on thenext Suns possession but Lamar Odom covered that off a pass from Bryant.
Tuesday, the margin was nine as the Suns won 115-106. The next game is Thursday in Los Angeles.
Once again, the Lakers were lead by Kobe Bryant, who had 38 points. Pau Gasol had 15, Ron Artest had 13 and Lamar Odom had 15 and Andrew Bynum and had 12.
Amare Stoudemire led the Suns with 21 points. Steve Nash had 15 with Leandro Barbosa and Channing Frye both getting 14 off the bench.
ยป Don't miss a thing. Get breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox.
With about 2:30 to play the Lakers cut the lead to six when Pau Gasol made a put back. But Amare Stoudemire made one of two. Lamar Odom then missed an unwise three and once again Stoudemire was sent to the line after a Gasol foul. He made both and at that point the Lakers chances were about done.
Suns 103, Lakers 94, 3:05 left in fourth quarter
After the time out Derek Fisher missed after a couple of misses the Suns turned the ball over on a shot-clock violation. But the Lakers didn't take advantage and fouled on the way back down the court. However. Louis Amundson made one of two free throws.
Lamar Odom missed one of two free throws and Leandro Barbosa made a two as did Goran Dragic. Time was running out on the Lakers.
But back-to-back baskets by Fisher and Ron Artest cut the lead to nine with a little over three minutes to play. Lot of points to make up, but not impossible.
Suns 98, Lakers 89, 6:47 remaining in fourth quarter
The start for the Lakers in the fourth quarter was not a good one as Kobe Bryant threw the ball away but Goran Dragic had his shot blocked down the court.
Jordan Farmar then hit a three and the Lakers were back in the lead. Leandro Barbosa answered with a two but this time down the court Farmar missed. Louis Amundson then got a two and Phoenix was up by two.
After a couple of misses and a turnover and a timeout, Phoenix had a chance to extend the lead to four and they did one better as Channing Frye hit a three, his fourth of the game.
Andrew Bynum then made a put back that stopped a 7-0 Suns run but Leandro Barbosa came back with a three and a six-point lead.
Jordan Farmar missed a three but Jared Dudley did not and the Phoenix lead was nine.
Suns 95, Lakers 89, 6:56 remaining in fourth quarter
Suns take control with a 7-0 run. Whenever they need a big basket, they hit it.
Suns 85, Lakers 84, end of third quarter
Coming out of a timeout, Amare Stoudemire hit an easy jumper, which was answered with a three by Kobe Bryant and the game was tied.
Stoudemire, showing confidence, made a two on thenext Suns possession but Lamar Odom covered that off a pass from Bryant.
