Lakers hit high note of preseason, still fall to Suns to remain winless

For one quarter on Sunday night, the Lakers showed a glimpse of what they could become this season. However, three quarters in which the Lakers were vastly outplayed proved to be the difference as the Suns picked up a 123-94 victory over the Lakers, who remain winless through four preseason contests.

After a sloppy and uninspiring first quarter saw the Lakers manage just 18 points, the hosts responded with their best quarter of the preseason. Led by Anthony Davis, who scored a team-high 19 points in 28 minutes, and Carmelo Anthony, who connected on five 3-pointers for 17 points, the Lakers outscored Phoenix 26-23.

Included in that was a 13-0 run that turned a 40-28 deficit into a 41-40 lead after a monstrous alley-oop from Davis that forced a Suns timeout.

That, though, would serve to be the high point of the night. Phoenix responded with an 11-2 run to close the half and never trailed the rest of the way, building the lead to as large as 31 points in the second half.

Russell Westbrook continued to struggle in his second outing in purple and gold. In 26 minutes, Westbrook finished 3-of-12 from the field for eight points with five assists and nine turnovers. Through the first two preseason games, Westbrook has committed 15 turnovers.

No other Laker reached double figures in scoring on the evening. Kent Bazemore tallied eight points with four steals, four rebounds and two assists while sparking the team defensively throughout the night.

LeBron James sat on Sunday, though Frank Vogel noted pregame that James is looking to play the remaining two games of the preseason.

The Lakers will return to the court on Tuesday to take on Golden State before rounding out the preseason in Sacramento on Thursday.

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