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Suns hit franchise-record 22 threes in win over Lakers

Nov 15, 2010 - 6:40 AM Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Jason Richardson had 35 points and eight rebounds, as the Phoenix Suns edged the Los Angeles Lakers, 121-116, at Staples Center thanks to a franchise-record 22 three-pointers.

Richardson made seven of the long-distance shots, while Channing Frye sank four and finished with 20 points.

Steve Nash added 21 points and 13 assists for the Suns, who got the better of the Lakers in this latest matchup. Los Angeles beat Phoenix in last season's Western Conference Finals, then beat the Suns again on October 29, 114-106, in Phoenix.

"We were motivated to come in here and play LA," Richardson said. We're coming together. This was a huge win, everyone did well. We gave up too many rebounds, but the main thing is we got the win."

Pau Gasol finished with 28 points and 17 boards for the Lakers, who had never before given up 22 three-pointers in a game. Kobe Bryant had 25 points, 14 assists and nine rebounds, but turned the ball over eight times. Los Angeles has lost two in a row after starting the season with eight consecutive wins.

"I was happy with our comeback, but was not happy with our 18 turnovers," said Lakers head coach Phil Jackson. "Tonight they were successful at threes; they had remarkable shooting."

The Suns held a slight edge coming down the stretch, and got two key baskets from Nash near the two-minute mark. After Nash sank a layup, Frye blocked Gasol's jumper, and Nash drilled a fadeaway for a 111-104 lead with 1:53 left.

The Lakers came back with a Derek Fisher three, then got the ball back after Grant Hill missed from beyond the arc. Lamar Odom's layup at the other end had Los Angeles within two with 53.7 seconds to play, but was given a technical foul for emphatically celebrating the basket.

Nash made the free throw, and Hedo Turkoglu cashed in on the possession, drilling the last of the Suns' threes with 34.7 seconds on the clock. Phoenix sealed the win at the foul line.

The Lakers held a 25-23 edge after the first quarter, but the Suns used a barrage of threes to move in front late in the second. Makes from Turkoglu, Frye and Richardson were followed by a Hill layup, and the 11-0 run had Phoenix up 51-46 with 2:04 left. The Suns took a 56-53 lead into the break.

A Richardson three with two minutes left in the third quarter extended Phoenix's lead to a game-high 90-77, but the Lakers pulled within 92-84 moving to the fourth.

Sasha Vujacic connected on a three for LA a little more than a minute into the final period, trimming his team's deficit to 95-89.

Game Notes

The Suns finished 22-of-40 from beyond the arc and shot 51.2 percent overall...The Lakers held a 49-32 rebounding edge...Odom finished with 22 points and 11 boards...Turkoglu had 17 points.