Phoenix Suns Team Report - February 23

(Basketball News) - The Phoenix Suns lost to the Los Angeles Lakers, 104-92, on Sunday at America West Arena.

Phoenix was led by 25 points and 12 rebounds from Amare Stoudemire. Shawn Marion chipped in 22 points and a game-high 13 boards for the reeling Suns, who have dropped a season-high eight straight games.

The Suns overcame a 14-point deficit to pull ahead at halftime and led by as many as six points in the third quarter. But LA rebounded to pull ahead 62-61 on Payton’s bucket inside the 5:00 mark.

There were four lead changes and four ties after that until the Lakers grabbed the lead for good at 72-69 on Gary Payton’s three. Kobe Bryant then scored the period’s final bucket to give the Lakers a 74-69 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

Phoenix got as close as four several times in the opening minutes of the fourth — the last time around the 6:00 mark when Stoudemire made it 86-82. But the Lakers followed that bucket by outscoring Phoenix 14-8 over the next four minutes to take a comfortable 100-90 lead with two minutes remaining.

The Suns never threatened after that, and the Lakers secured a 3-1 victory in the season series with Phoenix while improving to 17-2 when they score at least 100 points.

Phoenix is 2-22 when they allow 100 points or more.

The Suns are off until Wednesday they host the New York Knicks.