Lakers Retain Home Game Win Streak vs. Suns

*Stats courtesy of NBA.com*

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.

Kyle Kuzma's Career High Not Enough vs. Suns

*Stats courtesy of NBA.com and Yahoo Sports*

Kyle Kuzma had a career night Friday night, pouring in 30 points and 10 rebounds, but the Lakers could not stop Devin Booker and the Suns this time around, losing 122-113. Brook Lopez also notched a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds to go with 4 blocks. Brandon Ingram racked up 17 points and 8 rebounds and KCP added 13 points to round out the starters. Julius Randle lead all scorers off the bench with 13 points.

Final Score: vs. Phoenix 122-113 [L]
Full article: http://www.nba.com/games/20171117/PHXLAL#/recap

Next Game: vs. Denver (11/19)

Highlights: *courtesy of MLG Highlights*

Toss out the Phoenix Suns label of the "team most depended on for Laker W's." The Suns were on a back-to-back. They just gave up 90 points in the first half to Houston the other night. And based off the game, the Lakers looked like they were the ones on a back-to-back. Of course, the highlight of the game last night, Kyle Kuzma. He struggled to get his shot going in the first half. But in the 2nd half, he caught fire and single-handedly kept the Lakers afloat when it looked like the Suns were gonna run away in this game. The biggest thing in how Kuzma got going was that he was looking to attack and his shot just followed with it. However, Kuzma's career-high was overshadowed big time by the Suns hitting some timely shots, Devin Booker getting his way in scoring, and the Lakers stopping their own momentum with some turnovers and missed shots. They were daring guys like Dragan Bender to shoot and he made sure the Lakers' defense paid big time with some key three pointers. Brook Lopez missed a couple of threes that stalled the Lakers' series of runs. He struggled from beyond the arc. Laker players made some unforced errors down the stretch. And most notably, they could not slow down Devin Booker down. He finally had a high-scoring performance go his way against the Lakers.