=== Phoenix Suns Team Report - December 22 === (My Sportsbook) - The Phoenix Suns were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers, 107-101, on Sunday at the Staples Center. Stephon Marbury finished with 31 points, 11 assists and six rebounds as the Suns dropped their fifth straight to Los Angeles. Phoenix has now dropped all nine of its all-time contests at the Staples Center against the Lakers, including three playoff tilts. Shawn Marion added 23 points and 10 rebounds in the losing effort. After scoring seven of the first nine points of the third quarter, Los Angeles' lead ballooned to 18 points after Shaquille O'Neal's three-point play. Phoenix, though, slowly chipped away at the deficit and went into the final quarter trailing by just seven at 82-75. The Suns pulled within four, 97-93, after a free throw by Jahidi White with 3:31 to play in the game. But Gary Payton hit a big three-pointer for Los Angeles to put them ahead by seven with just over three minutes to play. The pesky Suns would not go away and made one more charge to pull within three at 102-99. It was two of Los Angeles' unsung heroes that then hooked up for the game's most crucial basket. Luke Walton posted inside and found Devean George cutting to the basket for an easy dunk and a five-point Laker lead with under a minute to play, sealing the contest and helping Los Angeles improve to 14-1 at home. The Suns are off until Tuesday when they visit the Seattle SuperSonics. |
