Suns Take Game 1 vs Lakers - NBA Playoffs 2007
Unlike last season's start to the playoffs, the Suns took care of business on their homecourt versus the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday afternoon, winning 95-87. The game appeared to be dejavu for the Suns through about three quarters, as the Lakers jumped out to the lead and held on to it for a good portion of the game. In last year's first round matchup, the Lakers took a 3-1 series lead, before the Suns stormed back on their way to the Western Conference Finals.
Kobe Bryant had some nice words to say about Raja Bell before the game, but Bell probably took it with a grain of salt, and Bryant probably just said it to get in his head anyway.
Bryant led LA with 28 points in the first half (he ended w/ 39 pts), and combined with the Suns poor shooting, the Lakers looked to have the game in hand early. Phoenix still ended up shooting only about 43% for the game, but it was enough to get the “W”. Leandro Barbosa led the Suns w/ 26 pts, followed by Amare Stoudemire (23), Steve Nash (20) and Shawn Marion (16). Nash, Stoudemire and Marion also finished with double-doubles.
The two teams will play in Phoenix again on Tuesday, w/ games 3 & 4 Thursday and Sunday, respectively.