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Stoudemire, Suns top Lakers in preseason contest

Oct 16, 2006 - 4:55 AM LAS VEGAS (Ticker) -- Amare Stoudemire was in midseason form against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Stoudemire had 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds in 30 minutes as the Phoenix Suns posted a 99-91 victory over the Lakers in a preseason contest.

After missing much of last season with a knee injury, Stoudemire scored eight points in the fourth quarter and finished shooting 5-of-11 from the field.

Stoudemire underwent microfracture surgery on his left knee last October, but returned for a short stint at the end of last season. However, he was shut down with stiffness and pain in the joint as well as swelling in his right knee just prior to the playoffs and many doubted if he would ever return to full strength.

Shawn Marion scored 16 points and two-time MVP Steve Nash added 14 on 6-of-8 shooting for the Suns, who were playing their first preseason game in the United States after playing one in Italy and two in Germany.

Smush Parker netted 17 points for the Lakers, who played without star guard Kobe Bryant for the third straight preseason game. Bryant practiced with the team for the first time on Friday after recovering from offseason knee surgery.