Coming into STAPLES Center for this game against the Lakers, the Suns were one of the hottest teams in the league.
They had won 11 of their last 13 and were set to face a Lakers squad without Anthony Davis, Kyle Kuzma, and Marc Gasol. Although they led this one most of the way, by overcoming adversity in the second half, they proved that their recent form was not because of a soft schedule or 'lightning caught in a bottle'.
One of their two All-Stars Devin Booker was ejected near the midway point of the third quarter when they led 70-63.
"I think Jae Crowder said it best: 'We got better tonight.'" - Monty Williams said postgame on Booker's ejection.
At the time of the ejection, Booker had 17 points, six assists, and three steals in 23 minutes. However, following the ejection, the Lakers rallied and made it a three-point game (86-83) heading into the final quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Suns pulled away as Dario Saric came up huge, scoring or assisting on 15 of the team's 28 fourth-quarter points.
Saric, who's only played in 15 games this season and averages 10.7 points per game, finished with a team-high 21 in 26 minutes off the bench.
☀️ @dariosaric (21 PTS) and @mikal_bridges (19 PTS) lead the @Suns to their 3rd win in a row! pic.twitter.com/4yzTfQK0zb
— NBA (@NBA) March 3, 2021
Including Booker, five Suns finished in double figures.
Chris Paul had eight points while dishing out 10 dimes. Cameron Johnson had nine on 3-of-5 shooting and Abdel Nader did a little bit of everything with eight points, three rebounds, and three blocks.
“He’s always on us, showing us the little things.”@DeandreAyton discusses how @CP3 has elevated the Suns this season. pic.twitter.com/O21oAIH25U
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 3, 2021
A huge reason why the Lakers were even in this one was LeBron James and the little support he received from his guards.
The King finished with 38 points, six assists, five rebounds, and two steals while the guard duo of Dennis Schroder (six assists), and Talen Horton-Tucker (16 points, 6-9 FGs) combined for 33 points.
With this game, the Suns clinched their first win against the Lakers in LA since Nov. 17, 2017. The victory also helps the team jump to the second spot in the Western Conference.
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