Kobe Bryant got the better of former teammate Shaquille O'Neal to guide the Los Angeles Lakers to a 105-92 win over the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.
 |
| Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (left) is fouled by Phoenix Suns' Raja Bell during their NBA game on Thursday in Phoenix. [AP] |
Last season's most valuable player scored 24 points as the Lakers defeated their Pacific Division rivals in the first meeting of the season between the two teams.
Los Angeles continued to play improved defense, forcing the Suns into 15 turnovers.
"This year we just concentrate on defense, and as long as we do it defensively we'll be alright," Lamar Odom told reporters.
Odom, making the transition from a starter to the team's sixth man this year, recorded 13 points and nine rebounds.
"Coming off the bench I get to take my time and fill my role. I want to be a part of a championship team."
The Western Conference-leading Lakers (9-1) made 10 three-pointers and outscored the Suns 30-23 in the third quarter.
Bryant finished 8-for-23 shooting, with five rebounds and three assists while Vladimir Radmanovic made all five of his three-point attempts.
Amare Stoudemire led Phoenix with 21 points and eight rebounds while O'Neal added 15 and nine rebounds.
The Suns led 37-34 in the second quarter as O'Neal drew early fouls on Lakers center Andrew Bynum.
"They go into Shaquille more this season," said Kobe of the Suns. "Bynum just has to not be overzealous and stay fundamentally sound."
Bryant scored six points in the final six minutes of the half where the Lakers took a 50-44 lead after a 16-7 run.
Los Angeles got 43 points from its bench as Jordan Farmer scored 11 and Trevor Ariza added 10.
Matt Barnes scored 12 and Grant Hill added 11 for the Suns who fell to 8-5 with the loss.
Garnett's winning return
In Boston, Kevin Garnett scored 15 points in his return after a one-game suspension and the Boston Celtics ripped Detroit 98-80 on Thursday in a rematch of last season's NBA semifinals.
Rajon Rondo scored a game-high 18 points and Ray Allen added 12 for the Celtics as the reigning NBA champions won their third game in a row and improved to 11-2 as they welcomed back their star power forward.
Garnett was banished for a game for a retailiation call against Milwaukee's Andrew Bogut last Saturday, the Boston star appearing to accidentally strike the Australian in the face while flailing his arms late in a Boston triumph.
The Pistons, who snapped Cleveland's eight-game win streak with a Wednesday victory, were level at 21-21 after the first period but Boston pulled to a 21-point edge entering the fourth quarter and reserves finished the job.
Allen Iverson led Detroit with 16 points while Rasheed Wallace added 13 for the Pistons.
(China Daily via Agencies/AFP November 22, 2008)