The LA Lakers topped the Phoenix Suns 106-93 to take a 2-1 series lead in the first round. This is their first win at Staples Center since 2012.
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The Los Angeles Lakers are right back where they wanted to be, after a Game 3 victory over the Phoenix Suns. Lakers beat Suns 109-95 and took a 2-1 series lead. Another game at the Staples Center is looming between these two teams on Sunda. The defending champions have given themselves a chance to take a commanding 3-1 lead. In fact, the Lakers are hoping that history can repeat itself the rest of the way. In the first two rounds last season, the Lakers lost Game 1 before sweeping their opponents the rest of the way.
Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 34 points and 11 rebounds, while LeBron James got off to a slow start. James picked things up with 16 points in the second half along with nine total assists. Those numbers hardly stand up to James’ typical postseason dominance. The game was quite physical, in a defensive-oriented game like this, the Lakers needed to secure the victory.
The Lakers defence also struggled in many of the same areas, as they have all series. The task of guarding DeAndre Ayton was an example. He, in his third game against the Lakers, scored 22 points on 11-15 shooting from the field, in the series his shooting is 82.1% from the field.
Chris Paul returned quickly after his shoulder injury in Game 2. He started in Game 3 after Suns coach Monty Williams called him a “full go” before the game. Well, not quite full. Paul played 27 minutes in the game but unable to make an impact.
He had the worst plus-minus on the Suns, but his backup, Cameron Payne, nearly singlehandedly made the game competitive in the fourth quarter after a barrage of 3-pointers. He gave the Suns 15 points and four assists in the game.
Devin Booker also struggled on the night, shooting 6 of 19 for 19 points and then getting ejected in the final minute of the game after a hard foul on Dennis Schroder.
