Lakers shutdown for embarrasing loss

Written by Donald Tolbert | SFL Journalist

After the first quarter on Tuesday, the Lakers were only down eight points. This, however, did not last long, asTheir offense shut down almost entirely. 

In the second quarter, the Suns held the Lakers to just 10 points en route to a 30-point lead at the half. During the period, the Lakers shot 2-of-17 from the field and didn't hit a field goal for nine full minutes. The only two field goals they made were inside the restricted area.

Phoenix took full advantage of the situation. Suns forward Devin Booker entered halftime with 22 points and shot 9-of-13 from the field, and the team shot 54 percent or better. Additionally, they limited all Lakers players' scoring to single digits and made just 12 combined field goals.

However, even with a respectable 27-point third quarter, the Lakers' offense was far from revived. It was a simple 30-point win for the Suns, and they are now just one game away from advancing out of the first round.

As a result, Booker scored 30 points while shooting 13-of-23 from the field. Cameron Payne chipped in 16 points from the bench. 

On the night, James had 24 points, seven assists, and shot 6-of-10 from 3-point range for the Lakers. He was the only starter to reach double digits, while Dennis Schroder and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope were held scoreless. 

The Lakers shot worse than 35% from the field as a team, the worst they've had all season. Los Angeles will host Game 6 of the series on Thursday night. The team will have to give much better performance than the one they gave on Tuesday if they hope to keep their postseason hopes alive.