LOS ANGELES, OCT 29 – Kevin Durant and Devin Booker both scored 63 points to help the Phoenix Suns eliminate LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in their first loss of the season in NBA action yesterday.
Booker scored 33 points, while Durant contributed 30 points to give the Suns a thrilling 109-105 victory at the Footprint Center, Phoenix, thus making up for their 123-116 loss to the Lakers in Los Angeles last Friday.
The Lakers arrived in Phoenix in high spirits after posting a stellar 3-0 start under new head coach JJ Redick.
The team looked poised to continue their winning streak after starting the game strong, taking a 26-8 lead in the first quarter thanks to 16 points from Anthony Davis, who was in top form.
Phoenix stormed back to take a 50-48 lead, before the Lakers regained the lead with 35 points in the third quarter. However, the Suns bounced back in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Lakers 33-22 to seal the win.
Davis led the Lakers with 29 points, adding 15 rebound and three assistwhile Austin Reaves finished with 23 points.
James, however, had a rough night with just 11 points on 3-of-14 shooting.
Suns coach Mike Budenholzer praised the efforts of his team who managed to recover from an early 18-point deficit.
“The mental strength, passion and competition shown by our players is really impressive,” said Budenholzer.
“If you can accept that kind of ‘challenge’ in the first quarter, and bounce back – that’s a huge advantage,” he added. – AFP
