If there was ever a disappointing win for the Los Angeles Lakers, Friday’s game against the Phoenix Suns would qualify.
Hours before tipoff, it was announced that Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton would sit out with the Suns assured of the playoffs’ fourth seed in the Western Conference. That decision made it seem as if L.A. would have an automatic blowout victory.
But the Suns hit the boards hard and played inspired ball on both ends to make the game very competitive throughout the first half and for most of the third quarter. Finally, the Lakers started to wake up late in the third period, as they ended it with a 20-8 run to take a 96-89 lead. Phoenix responded with a quick run to tie the score at 96, but the Lakers built a double-digit lead over the next few minutes and never looked back, gaining a 121-107 win.
Still, it wasn’t the least bit pretty. Los Angeles turned the ball over 15 times, with plenty of those turnovers consisting of the careless or unforced variety, and a number of key players looked either unenergetic or unmotivated.
Still, a win is a win, and the Lakers still have a slight chance to finish sixth in the Western Conference by defeating the Utah Jazz on Sunday if either the Golden State Warriors lose to the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday or if the Los Angeles Clippers lose both of their remaining contests.