Lakers rout Suns’ reserves, extend hopes of escaping play-in

D’Angelo Russell made six 3-pointers whereas scoring 24 factors and Austin Reaves added 22 factors to assist the host Los Angeles Lakers notch an important 121-107 victory over the short-handed Phoenix Suns on Friday night time.

Malik Beasley tallied 21 factors off the bench and LeBron James added 16 factors because the Lakers (42-39) assured themselves of ending no decrease than eighth within the Western Conference. Anthony Davis contributed 14 factors, 21 rebounds and three blocked photographs for Los Angeles, which has gained eight of its previous 10 video games.

Torrey Craig recorded 18 factors, six rebounds and 4 blocked photographs and Jock Landale added 17 factors and 10 rebounds for Phoenix (45-36), which had its season-best, seven-game successful streak halted. Josh Okogie scored 16 factors, Cameron Payne had 13 and Terrence Ross added 10 for the Suns.

Phoenix, which already was locked into the No. 4 seed within the West, rested starters Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton. The Suns grew to become extra short-handed within the second quarter when Payne (decrease again) and Bismack Biyombo (knee) each sustained accidents. Both missed the second half.

Los Angeles and the New Orleans Pelicans (42-39) share the identical file and presently maintain play-in positions within the West, simply outdoors of the sixth and remaining automated playoff spot.

The Lakers are a half-game behind the sixth-place Los Angeles Clippers (42-38) and one recreation behind fifth-place Golden State (43-38) after the Warriors beat the Sacramento Kings on Friday night time.

Los Angeles shot 48.9 % from the sphere and made half of its 36 3-point makes an attempt.

The Suns related on 41.3 % of their photographs from the ground and have been 9 of 36 (25 %) from behind the arc.

James scored seven factors throughout an 11-0 surge because the Lakers took a 107-96 benefit with 7:34 to play within the recreation.

Russell drained three treys in 114 seconds as Los Angeles expanded the result in 121-105 with 1:13 left to seal it.

Payne had 13 first-half factors whereas serving to the Suns lead 62-61 on the break. He obtained damage throughout a fall on his decrease again. Biyombo was injured when he banged knees with Davis. Russell had 15 within the half for Los Angeles.

The Lakers led 96-89 getting into the ultimate interval earlier than the Suns scored the primary seven factors to knot the rating.

–Field Level Media/Reuters