Devin Booker leads Suns to blowout win, 3-2 lead over Lakers

[June 02, 2021]    Devin Booker recorded 30 points, seven rebounds and five assists to help the host Phoenix Suns steamroll the Los Angeles Lakers 115-85 on Tuesday night and take a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference first-round series.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket against the Phoenix Suns in the first half during game two in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Cameron Payne added 16 points off the bench and the Suns led by as many as 36 points while notching their second consecutive win in the seven-game series.

LeBron James registered 24 points, seven assists and five rebounds for the Lakers, who played without Anthony Davis (groin).

Game 6 is Thursday night at Los Angeles.

Chris Paul of the Suns reinjured his right shoulder while battling for rebounding position with 6:47 left in the third quarter and didn't return. He was officially ruled out early in the fourth quarter due to a contusion.

Paul had nine points, six assists and four rebounds in 23 minutes on a night in which Phoenix tallied 29 assists and committed just four turnovers. Los Angeles had 17 turnovers.

The Suns' domination included a 30-point halftime lead that was the largest in franchise playoff history, while it marked Los Angeles' second-largest halftime playoff deficit. The Lakers trailed the Portland Trail Blazers 75-41 in a first-round playoff game on April 23, 1992.

Mikal Bridges tallied 13 points for Phoenix, which shot 45.7 percent from the field and made 14 of 42 from 3-point range.

Kyle Kuzma added 15 points for the Lakers, who connected on 34.5 percent of their shots, including 12 of 35 from behind the arc.

The Lakers led 10-5 in the opening minutes before Phoenix scored the next 16 points to take the lead for good.

Booker scored 18 points in the opening stanza as the Suns held a 34-26 lead entering the second period.

Phoenix began the second quarter with a 16-1 burst, opening up a 50-27 lead on Paul's basket with 6:37 left.

Deandre Ayton's basket with 48 seconds remaining gave the Suns a 66-36 halftime lead. Phoenix outscored Los Angeles 32-10 in the stanza.

The Suns increased the lead to 36 points on Booker's basket with 7:30 left in the third quarter, shortly before Paul was reinjured. But the loss of its floor leader didn't bother Phoenix as it continued to lead comfortably while finishing off the rout.

Los Angeles' Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (knee) played 15 scoreless minutes before leaving. He missed Game 4 due to the injury.

--Field Level Media

[© 2021 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2021 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.