Lakers Stun Suns As Bryant Sits Opener

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Playing without Kobe Bryant, it appeared the Los Angeles Lakers didn’t have a chance, especially when the high-scoring Phoenix Suns made their first nine shots of the season opener.

But Phoenix cooled off, Lamar Odom sparked a comeback, and the Lakers beat the Suns 114-106 Tuesday night.

Odom matched his career high with 34 points to go with 13 rebounds and six assists; 19-year-old Andrew Bynum had career-high totals of 18 points and nine rebounds, and Maurice Evans added 17 points in his first game for the Lakers, who outscored the Suns by 27 after falling behind 39-20 in the first quarter.

The Lakers shot 55.4 percent and outrebounded Phoenix 43-29. The Suns shot 51.9 percent — not bad, but a major comedown after they made 77.2 percent in the first quarter.

Suns reserve Leandro Barbosa scored a career-high 30 points. Shawn Marion had 16 points and seven rebounds and Steve Nash had 15 points and 13 assists for the Suns.

Bryant, the NBA scoring champion with a 35.4-point average last season, didn’t play because of soreness in his surgically repaired right knee, and said he also would sit out of Wednesday night’s game at Golden State.

Bryant underwent arthroscopic surgery in mid-July, and missed the Lakers’ eight exhibition games. He said he hoped to return this weekend.

Bryant spoke briefly to the capacity crowd of 18,997 at Staples Center before the game — the Lakers’ first since they were embarrassed 121-90 by the Suns in Game 7 of their first-round playoff series last spring. Phoenix rallied from a 3-1 deficit to win the series.

The Suns play their home opener Wednesday night against the Clippers, the team they eliminated in the second round.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson was on the bench, just as he said he would be before undergoing right hip replacement surgery Oct. 3. Like Bryant, Jackson missed all eight exhibition games, but worked extensively with his players in practice the past couple of weeks.

Phoenix’s Amare Stoudemire, an All-Star two years ago who missed nearly all of last season after undergoing microfracture surgery on his left knee, had six points in 12 minutes in a reserve role.

Odom scored six points and Vladimir Radmanovic four during a 12-4 run that gave the Lakers a 101-85 lead with 9 minutes remaining. The Suns weren’t closer than seven points after that.

The Lakers went ahead for good by scoring 13 straight points for an 83-73 lead late in the third quarter. It was 87-79 entering the final period.

The Suns made their first nine shots and 17-of-22 in the first quarter for a 41-26 lead. The Lakers trailed by 15 points despite shooting 11-of-21 in the period.

The Suns cooled off in the second quarter, shooting 6-of-18 while being outscored by 10 points, trimming their lead to 58-53.

The Lakers continue the early season tomorrow night against the Golden State Warriors at up in Oakland, CA. As always we will have live Gameday coverage when the game tips off at 7:00 PM PST.

What is your reaction to Lamar Odom’s blockbuster performance? Is this Andrew Bynum’s breakout game? How did Maurice Evans perform in your opinon? Can the Lakers keep this up with Kobe sitting on the sidelines? Sound off in our ClubLakers.com Forums!

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