Los Angeles Lakers Suffer Second Straight Loss, Phoenix Suns Deal Kobe Bryant Another Blowout Defeat, 119-99

A day after opening the new 2014-2015 NBA Season with a 108-90 blowout defeat at home against Dwight Howard, James Harden and the Houston Rockets, the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a second straight defeat— also via a big margin— on Wednesday, this time on the road against the Phoenix Suns losing 119-99.

Kobe Bryant had 31 points but missed 14 of 25 shots and he also found no support from his teammates— no L.A. starter finished in double figure scoring. Ed Davis (14 points) and Wayne Ellington (13 points) helped off the bench but obviously wasn’t enough against the high-powered Suns.

This Phoenix team, same as last season, had no problem scoring; Six players finished scoring in double digits including all five starters led by Marcus Morris with 21 points on 5-of-9 three-point shooting. Isaiah Thomas, who was acquired via free agency in the 2014 offseason, led all Suns with 23 points hitting 5-of-7 three-pointers.

Goran Dragic had 18 points and 5 rebounds while backcourt partner Eric Bledsoe 16 markers, 6 rebounds and 9 assists.

The Suns built a big 33-19 lead after the first canto before the Lakers cut it down to 59-50 at the half time break. Then, Phoenix ran the Lakers to the ground again in the third, outscoring L.A., 39-23 in that period. The Lakers never recovered.

L.A.’s defense was atrocious for the second straight game. They allowed the Suns to shoot 54.9% from the field (45-of-82 FG) and an even 50.0% from the behind the arc (16-of-32 3FG). The Lakers gave up 62 points in the first half versus the Rockets on Tuesday.

The Lakers, who dropped to 0-2 to start the year, will face their Los Angeles rivals, Clippers on Friday in their next game. The Suns, who notched the victory in their season opener, take on the San Antonio Spurs also on Friday.