Suns Vs. Lakers: Kobe Bryant Powers Los Angeles To 111-99 Win

Suns Vs. Lakers: Kobe Bryant Guides Los Angeles To Win

The Phoenix Suns got double-doubles out of Steve Nash and Marcin Gortat, as well as 46 bench points, but it wasn't nearly enough to take down the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center on Friday night. Kobe Bryant shot better than 50 percent from the field as he scored 36 points while adding nine rebounds and six assists as well. Even with Gortat's 16 boards, the Suns were out-rebounded by a wide margin and were poor defensively in the Lakers' 111-99 win.

Both Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum had double-doubles to match Gortat. Gasol didn't have a great offensive night, shooting just 4-13 from the floor, but contributed on that end with five offensive boards. Matt Barnes came off the bench and provided a surprising 17 points and seven boards for the Lakers.

Phoenix finished the first quarter with a lead, but allowed the Lakers to score 36 points in the second quarter. The best part of this game was Steve Nash nailing Grant Hill in the face.

For more on the Suns, check out Phoenix Suns blog Bright Side of the Sun and SB Nation Arizona. For more on the Lakers, head over to Los Angeles Lakers blog Silver Screen and Roll and SB Nation Los Angeles.

Suns Vs. Lakers: Can Kobe Bryant Find His Shot?

Kobe Bryant will likely attempt to shoot out of his funk when the Los Angeles Lakers host the Phoenix Suns in the second game of an ESPN doubleheader on Friday night.