| 19 May 2010
The final score just doesn't do the Suns justice - and the stats don't reveal the central role Jared Dudley, Grant Hill and Jason Richardson played in a game we almost won.
For Richardson it was the old scoring machine kicking into high gear to make a dent in the Kobe-led Lakers as he knocked down 27 of the Suns 112 points as Phoenix went down to a closely fought 112-124 defeat in LA on Wednesday night. J-Rich's scoring display included hitting better than 40% from 3-point range as he knocked down three of his seven shots from beyond the arc - proving he is a veteran who knows how to play in the Big Game.
The 37-year old Grant Hill also showed that all of his years in the NBA polished his pro-style as he hit for 23 points by making 10 of 17 from the field. His strong defensive skills also deterred the rampant scoring of LA's Lamar Odom - a key Suns vulnerability in the first game of the series.
But the highlight of the game was the stellar performance of Jason Dudley - a favorite of ours throughout his Suns' tenure - on both ends of the court.
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Whether it was his three steals at pivotal points in the game or his 5 for 5 from behind the 3-point line, J-Duds was the tenacious bull dog who led the Suns back into the game during their third quarter run. A run - mind you - that saw the Suns outscoure the LA Lakers by 34 - 25.
But these eye catching performances - and an 18-point night by Amar'e Stoudemire - came on a night when key Suns bench players failed to produce. The trio of non-producers on the offensive end includes; Channing Frye (0-5 from the field), Goran Dragic (1-6 from the field), and Robin Lopez (2-4 from the field).
But let's not forget the third quarter and the one constructive lesson that can be learned from tonight's contest - the Suns are able to play toe-to-toe against the Lakers and beat them soundly for a full quarter of basketball.
That may not sound impressive now that we are down 2-0 in this best of seven series - but it sure is nice to know and should give the Suns reason for confidence as they head back to Phoenix for a Sunday game at home.
Don't give up the fight guys.
See ya'.
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