Goran Dragic
The Phoenix Suns made the Western Conference Finals interesting by evening up the series at 2 games each with a 115-106 win at the U.S. Airways Center. The Suns kept the Lakers off balance with the zone defense and Kobe’s supporting crew, specifically Odom and Artest, were no where to be found when the Lakers needed a big basket.
After missing 17 shots in a row over a 3-game span, Channing Frye came alive going 4-5 from beyond the arch and finishing with 14 points. The Suns bench was the difference outscoring the Lakers’ second unit 54-20 while controlling the tempo early in the 2nd and 4th quarters. The Suns went 8 for 16 from behind the 3-point line in the first half and scored 41 points in the second quarter, making a mockery of the Lakers’ defense….and they better figure it out soon, or Kobe and the boys will be “fishin” in June.
Honestly, Kobe was an assasin, hitting contested shot after contested shot and finishing with 38 points, 10 assists and 7 rebounds, and tied his career playoff high with six 3-pointers. For the Lakers to win game 5 and turn the series around, Odom and Artest must step-up and impact the game. Gasol has been solid and will get his, yet the Lakers need solid play from Odom, Artest and must get more from their bench. The Lakers second unit has always been in question this season, and now it looks as though the question has been answered.
The Suns bench was on FIRE and brought energy and enthusiasm along with the intensity and urgency that escaped Orlando and Cleveland in the East. With Lopez, Barbosa, Dragic, Dudley and Amundson leading the second unit, the Suns are poised for a huge Western Conference upset. If I were betting, I still put my money on the Lakers; they are too good, too big and have the best player in the game. With that being said, the Suns are playing well, they believe they can win the series and it’s going to be a fun series to watch.
