News / Sports
NBA Scores: Steve Nash, Leandro Barbosa Lead Suns in Blowout of Lakers
Steve Nash scored 16 points and handed out 14 assists, Leandro Barbosa added 26 points and Amare Stoudemire finished with 20 points and 9 rebounds as the Phoenix Suns bombed the Los Angeles Lakers 126-98 to take a 2-0 lead in their Western Conference playoff series.
Los Angeles stayed close in the first quarter as Kobe Bryant scored nine points and the Lakers trailed by just six after the opening period.
Within the first seven minutes of the second quarter the Suns had boosted their lead to 21 and Los Angeles was showing little signs of life. Barbosa scored 12 points in the quarter and Phoenix held Kobe to just four points, all on free-throws to take command of the game.
L.A. was never able to get any closer than 19 in the second half as the Suns continued to play aggressive and hit open shots. Phoenix ended the game shooting 54 percent from the field, including 11-26 from beyond the three-pint line.
Game three of the best of seven series will be played in Los Angeles on Thursday night.
