Stoudemire Shakes Suns

Amare Stoudemire exploded for 42 points in helping to carry the Phoenix Suns to a nine point takedown of the L.A. Lakers in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. Phoenix cut L.A.’s deficit to 2-1 with the 118-109 defeat of the defending champions in Arizona. Phoenix was powered by the 27 year old Stoudemire, who matched a career high in points and added 11 rebounds. Stoudemire answered critics who scoffed at his defense and uninspired play by going 14-of-22 from the field and 14-of-18 from the line. The Suns are making a series out West with Game 4 set for Tuesday night at U.S. Airways Center. Phoenix will have a chance to knot the series even at 2-2 it shifts back to L.A.
The Suns’ zone defense flabbergasted the Lakers despite Kobe Bryant’s near triple-double. Bryant finished with 36 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds as the purple and gold suffered their first loss of the finals. His supporting cast was belittled. Stoudemire terrorized the L.A. interior defense, picking apart Pau Gasol and finding open space to sink buckets. Phoenix owns the second best downtown shooting in NBA history during the regular season. The Suns were even effective without their brilliant 3-point game being bright. Phoenix shot 25% from the arc, led by Jason Richardson’s 4-of-7 line. Richardson scored 19 points and Robin Lopez notched 20. The Suns’ center, Lopez, went 8-of-10 on shooting, including dazzling dunks, razzing right –handed rebounds and left hooks. It was Lopez’ third week back after a seven week hiatus but his seven foot presence was enough to frustrate the Lakers inside.
The Lakers’ bench was tamed in Game 3, hitting 11-of-37. The Suns were aggressive and took advantage of L.A.’s poor execution. Lamar Odom made four of his 14 attempts with 10 points in a mediocre performance before fouling out. Lakers’ malcontent, Ron Artest, went 4-of-13 and finished with a dozen points and half a dozen rebounds. Gasol finished at the 23 point mark and Derek Fisher contributed 18 for the visitors in the loss. It took L.A. a long time to figure out Phoenix’s zone defense and the champs found themselves down 54-47 at the break. Stoudemire broke loose for 16 points in the third quarter and topped off an impressive game with 13 in the final session. The Lakers were outscored and annihilated 18-3 in fast-break points. The Suns shot 57% in the second half but clung to only a two point lead at the end of three quarters.
L.A. took a 90-89 edge when Odom slipped a pair of free throws through the net with just under nine minutes remaining. The Suns took the lead for good when Lopez entered the contest for the struggling Channing Frye. Frye has missed 17 consecutive shots in this series. Phoenix’s Steve Nash tallied 17 points to go a long with 15 assists before banging his nose in a fourth quarter collision. Phil Jackson, the Hall-of-Fame L.A. head coach, picked up a rare technical foul after complaining about a non-call by the referees. The Suns irritated the Lakers, outperforming them entirely during the fourth quarter. A 93-92 Suns advantage quickly turned into a ten point lead.

Parting Points: Congrats to the Blackhawks for wiping out the Sharks.

The Cavs fired Mike Brown.

Jose Lima- RIP.