Jostled by the Suns during Game 1, the Lakers have since rectified the situation by authoritatively winning Game 2 then Game 3. Leading in this series, the reigning champions now have the opportunity to make the break, before to return to Arizona for a pivotal Game 5.
As often, the first minutes of these matches at European schedules are synonymous with clumsiness. To find the fault, it is better to get closer to the circle, which the Lakers, in the wake of LeBron James, and the Suns, through Deandre Ayton, have understood. But it is especially the few 3-points of the “Purple & Gold” which allow them to take the best start in this meeting (12-8).
As soon as LeBron James leaves, Phoenix immediately manages to react. Under the impetus of the 3-points of his shooters from the bench, the teammates of an aggressive Devin Booker actually sign a “run” of 8-0, in order to pass in front. But at the end of the quarter, the tandem Dennis Schröder – Marc Gasol raised the tone and, on a tap from the Spanish pivot to the buzzer, Los Angeles took the lead after twelve minutes (24-23).
Phoenix bends but doesn’t break
In the second act, the Lakers step on the accelerator. In “energizer” mode, Kyle Kuzma is finally efficient on his playing time, both in scoring and in passing. Back in business, LeBron James makes the show, between his blind pass for the 3-point Ben McLemore or his sequence “spin-move” + dunk which mystifies Cameron Johnson! Thanks to their duo James / Kuzma, the reigning champions thus inflict a 10-0 to their visitors, to soar to the score (36-25).
It was then that the Suns returned to the front collectively, benefiting from a more hesitant Californian attack and, above all, from a Jae Crowder finally skilful behind the arc. Add to that the offensive regularity of Devin Booker or the good contribution of the pair Cameron Payne – Cameron Johnson out of the bench, and you get a completely reversed game, with men of Monty Williams again in charge (43-40) .
At rest during the “run” of 11-0 achieved by his opponents, LeBron James returns to the floor and Los Angeles recovers directly, thanks to its shifts for its 3-point shooters. The “King” even took the opportunity to offer us the action of the evening: a very airy “alley-oop” with the board, sent by Alex Caruso! An action which however has the merit of boosting Phoenix, which concludes this half on a 10-2, between the 3-point successes of Mikal Bridges and the mastery of Chris Paul at mid-distance (54-50).
Anthony Davis injured, Los Angeles collapses
On returning from the locker room, a surprise is to be noted: the absence of Anthony Davis, already very discreet before the break and who seems to have hurt his knee when falling. An injury that is added to that of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, also embarrassed in the knee.
On the field, when Anthony Davis is not there, it’s Deandre Ayton who feasts. In the racket, the pivot of the Suns is indeed the total to poor Andre Drummond, unable to resist the power of his vis-à-vis. It was then Chris Paul’s turn to take pleasure in hurting the defense of the “Purple & Gold” at mid-distance. The gap thus climbs beyond ten units, while the attack of the Lakers is completely out of order. Even LeBron James can’t do anything (69-58).
While Cameron Payne continues to successfully attack the interior sector of Los Angeles, to bring his team’s lead to +15, LeBron James tries to wake up his family by going for his points in the paint. Once out, the short Californian improvement comes to an end and it is Chris Paul who is responsible for putting more Phoenix in the shelter, in his own style, twelve minutes from the end (81-65).
The Suns as bosses
In the last quarter, the Lakers do not let themselves be defeated and try, as best they can, to instigate a “run” in order to stick to the scoreboard. It’s bound to be LeBron James who tries to bring his team back into the game, with the help of Kyle Kuzma and Dennis Schröder. But the imperturbable trio Chris Paul – Cameron Payne – Deandre Ayton is keeping a close eye on the Suns, who retain a comfortable advantage at the approach of “money-time” (88-74).
In the “money-time” precisely, boosted by the good passage of Marc Gasol on both sides of the floor and several 3-points, the “Purple & Gold” think they can come back in the game, reducing the gap to -7 . Unsettled in attack, Phoenix however restarted the machine with Devin Booker then Chris Paul, before Jae Crowder definitively finished off the defending champions at 3 points. A nice snub sent to his rival LeBron James, with whom he was once again heated at the end of the meeting.
On arrival, guided by a collective gala (six players with 10 points or more), the Suns therefore win with the manner (100-92) on the floor of the Lakers of LeBron James (25 points, 12 rebounds, 6 passes). At the same time taking the home advantage in this series where nothing has yet been done (2-2) and which could find itself deprived of Anthony Davis until its end …
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