Newsroom Recap: Shaq and Barnes Carry the Load as Suns Set on Lakers

There is no denying that Phoenix’s 118-111 home victory over the Lakers was their best of the season. The Lakers, who hold the best record in the league, were completely outplayed from start to finish despite Phoenix playing without superstars Steve Nash and Amar’e Stoudemire.

Shaquille O’Neal, who became only the third NBA player in history to score 40 points in a game for four different teams Friday, looked like he was going to repeat that Sunday by pouring in 19 points on 7-of-8 shooting in the first half. The Diesel fell short of that mark this afternoon, but still finished with 33 points and seven boards, while giving the Suns a 16-point advantage in points in the paint.

“It was a great win considering no Amar’e, no Steve,” Suns forward Grant Hill said. “We’ve had a lot of stuff thrown at us this year, we’ve played well since the break and since the coaching change but we haven’t beaten a quality team.

“I don’t think we’ve beat a quality team all year? I don’t think we’ve won an ABC game on a Sunday afternoon all year. For a lot of reasons it was good win, especially since we’re about to go on this road trip, we can get some momentum.”

The Suns headed into half up 10, receiving strong offensive play from O’Neal, Hill (13 points), Leandro Barbosa (13 points) and Matt Barnes (11 points). Lakers combated the Suns attack with their dynamic duo of Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. The pair combined for 37 of their team’s 56 first-half points.

Things turned sour for Phoenix after halftime, with L.A. making a 17-4 to start the second half. The Suns were able to respond with some key defensive plays, particularly by Hill. The former Duke star swatted a couple of shots, bothered Bryant on his jumpers and grabbed a couple important defensive boards.

His block of Lamar Odom rocketed with such velocity towards the sideline that NASA questioned Hill after the game for pointers.

“My dad is probably going to tell me that I should’ve kept it inbounds like Bill Russell,” he said. “But I haven’t been that high in a while.”

Bryant had 17 in the third period and concluded the game with 49 points, but was held to 18-of-38 shooting.

“What makes them (the Lakers) real dangerous is when he goes out there and scores as well as shares the ball and gets people involved,” Suns guard Jason Richardson said. “That’s when they become dangerous. But if he just goes out there and scores, we can deal with that because other guys are cold and once they touch the ball they’re not used to scoring.”

The contest marked the first time that Shaq and Bryant have scored 30 points apiece in the same game since Feb. 6, 2003. At that time, they both donned Laker uniforms.

For his part, O’Neal has not been surprised by the way he’s shouldered the offensive load with the absences of Stoudemire and Nash.

“It’s what I do,” he stated. “I’ve been doing it since 1992. If you don’t believe it, Google me.”

His coach has a unique take on Shaq’s inspired play this season.

“He’s had a great year,” Gentry said. “Everybody thinks that I’m crazy when I say this because you’re talking about first-ballot Hall of Famer, but if I was voting for the Most Improved Player this year I would probably vote for him. Or the Comeback Player (of the Year) or something.”

“There’s got to be some award from where he was last year to where he is this year and how he’s playing. I think he’s done a great, great job.”

But as clutch as O’Neal was Sunday, Barnes gave forth his best effort of the season.

After playing well Friday (18 points, six rebounds and six assists), Barnes was able to build on that momentum, falling just short of a triple-double with a season-high 26 points to go along with 10 rebounds and seven assists.

In addition, the former UCLA standout drained a clutch three with 2:20 left in the game and then nailed two free throws with 1:26 ticks left on the clock to keep the lead out of the Lakers’ reach.

“Matt’s great, he had a good game,” Gentry said. “He drives me crazy, but that’s who Matt is and I think you have to accept who he is. He’s a high-risk guy, he’s going to have some turnovers but he’s not afraid to take big shots.

“He made a big three for us and he almost ended up with a triple-double,” he continued. “At the end of the day you have to look at his line and accept who he is. I got to let him be Matt and take the results.”

Leandro Barbosa posted 22 points, seven assists and two steals and Grant Hill added 17 points, six rebounds and a pair of rejections.

The Suns improved to 7-1 in their last home eight home games, while allowing Gentry to tie the franchise’s best eight-game start for a new head coach. Phoenix snapped a four-game losing streak to L.A. and moved the club to a season-high tying nine games above .500. The Suns have now also registered wins over the West’s top three teams (Lakers, Spurs and Nuggets).

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