Brandon Ingram lead all Lakers in scoring with 26 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists to lead the Lakers past the Suns 93-112, extending their win streak at Staples Center to 7 wins. Julius Randle followed with 21 points and 8 rebounds, Josh Hart added another double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Brook Lopez was on target from deep with 12 points on four 3-pointers. Kyle Kuzma was brought back to life this game, racking up 16 points for the 2nd unit while Larry Nance Jr. did work on the boards with 10 rebounds.
Final Score: vs. Phoenix 93-112 [W]
Full article: http://www.nba.com/games/20180206/PHXLAL#/recap
Highlights: *courtesy of Ximo Pierto*
It was a good finish after a sluggish start to the game. I think the Lakers got a little too comfortable returning back home after a solid stretch on the road. Phoenix was getting any shot they wanted. There was not a lot of on ball pressure from the Lakers defense during the first half. Also, I thought the Suns did a good job using their size out-rebounding the Lakers during that half. But, by the time the 2nd half went underway, there was a different energy from the Lakers. They went back to their formula that made them successful: be aggressive, play good team defense, and run with the basketball from end to end. They definitely picked up the intensity on both ends of the floor. The Suns, after a terrific start, finished the night shooting under 40%. Randle, Ingram, Hart, Lopez, and Kuzma did a whole lot of work. Josh Hart continues to impress by playing his game with confidence. Ingram was nearly unstoppable this game as he attacked the Suns' defense non-stop on his way to the basket. It's impressive to think that since Luke put Hart in the lineup and Ingram at point, the Lakers got back to playing the high octane, fast pace tempo they wanted to play when Lonzo was on the floor before he got hurt. So far, it continues to work. Lopez was on target again from three-point land. I'd like to see him take more shots inside. But when the 3-points shot goes, it goes and if Lopez can find that balance, scoring outside and inside, look out. Randle played the usual bully ball. He was a little sloppy with the basketball during this game though. The shooting guard position anchored by KCP and Clarkson were a let down. Clarkson just missed all kinds of shots. He made up in the 4th quarter, but he couldn't buy a bucket to start. KCP only got his points off a dunk and couple of free throws. Hart's emergence just got the Lakers to trade Clarkson. You know what rhymes with emergence? Resurgence. And we saw a resurgence from Kyle Kuzma this game. He's been quiet in the last couple of games, but it was nice to see he gained a little bit of his offense back in this game. The late 1st round picks of the 2017 draft, Kuzma and Hart, showed out this game. The Lakers are on pace to break last year's win total of 26 wins and we're not even in the All-Star break yet. It goes to show that this team's arrow is pointing up after rough years since the 2012-13 season.
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