Suns  88    Lakers  108

Phoenix Suns (15-5) at Los Angeles Lakers (15-3), 9:30 p.m.

Sports Network | December 6, 2009

(Sports Network) - Make way for the heavyweights.

The class of the Pacific Division takes over Staples Center Sunday night as the Los Angeles Lakers play host to the Phoenix Suns.

The Lakers, who lead the Suns by one game in the division, improved to 3-0 on a six-game homestand and an NBA-best 15-3 overall in improbable fashion against Miami on Friday. Kobe Bryant's final three points came on an acrobatic off-balance shot at the final horn in that one , and the Lakers barely won their eighth straight game with a 108-107 victory over the Heat at Staples Center.

After Miami star Dwyane Wade made just 1-of-2 from the free throw line with 3.2 seconds left to put the Heat ahead by two, Bryant took an inbounds pass from half-court with Wade draped all over him. Bryant then jumped in the air while leaning left from the top of the key, and his shot banked off the backboard and into the net for the improbable victory.

"I said I didn't think I was going to make that shot," Bryant said. "I slipped, and all I could do was a runner. I was falling left, and I had to shoot it back a bit. It was the luckiest shot I have ever taken by far."

Bryant had 17 of his 33 total points in the fourth quarter for the Lakers, who moved to 12-2 at home this season. Pau Gasol added 22 points and eight rebounds, while Andrew Bynum had 19 points and eight boards in the win.

"Heck of a game. So many players stepping up," said Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra. "Dwyane and Kobe going back and forth. The ending was an incredible shot. Dwyane had a hand in Kobe's face. Give the Lakers credit."

The Suns, meanwhile, got back in the win column last night when Steve Nash poured in 32 points and dished out six assists, as Phoenix remained perfect at home this season with a 115-107 victory over the Sacramento Kings.

Amare Stoudemire added 18 points and a season-high 21 rebounds for the Suns, who improved to 7-0 in the desert this year and have won 16 in a row as the host going back to last season.

Jason Richardson ended with 16 points for Phoenix, which snapped a two-game skid. Channing Frye chipped in 15 points and eight rebounds, while Grant Hill finished with 14 points and eight boards for the Suns, who have scored 100 or more in 33 consecutive home games.

"Tonight was a big getaway game for us. We came out with the intensity, we scrapped out there on the rebound tip, Steve (Nash) shot particularly well - down the stretch they tried to make him play one-on-one out there and wanted him to be the scorer instead of the facilitator and he scored well. We got the win and we've got to look forward to tomorrow night," said Stoudemire.

The Lakers have won five of the last six games in the series, including a 121-102 rout at Staples Center last month.