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Suns look to close out Lakers in Game Five

May 2, 2007 - 3:26 PM LA Lakers at Phoenix 10:30 pm EDT Western Conference first round Suns lead series, 3-1

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- The Phoenix Suns know all about coming back from a deficit in a first-round playoff series. They did it against the Los Angeles Lakers last season.

But on Wednesday, the roles will be reversed as the Lakers aim to stave off elimination against the Suns in Game Five of their best-of-seven matchup.

In Game Four, two-time MVP Steve Nash handed out 23 assists and Amare Stoudemire dominated inside with 27 points and 21 rebounds as Phoenix took a 3-1 lead with a convincing 113-100 victory over Los Angeles.

The Lakers held a 3-1 lead over Phoenix last year, but proceeded to lose the last three games.

"We didn't want another seven-game series like we did last year," Phoenix forward Shawn Marion said. "We did all we could do to not let this series go any farther and get it over quickly."

If necessary, Game Six would be Friday in Los Angeles.

But if Phoenix was to win on Wednesday, it would face the winner of the series between the San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets. The Spurs lead that matchup, 3-1, with Game Five also on Wednesday.