The long-awaited personal duel between LeBron James and Dillon Brooks was won by the Canadian in every sense. Individually, he finished with more points than his rival; collectively, too. The Suns beat the Lakers for the second time in three games, this time by a clear 132-108, taking advantage of the absence of Luka Doncic, and inflicted the second consecutive defeat on the yellow team.
Without Doncic, the lights went out on the Lakers. LeBron was the best, 23 points, and Austin Reaves returned, scoring 17 points, who had missed the previous three games through injury. It was not enough.
The Suns were already 10 points ahead at halftime and midway through the third quarter they had the game more than under control, 99-72. In that period they scored 45 points and in the fourth period the lead was already 112-86. In reality, the Lakers were unable to compete at any point.
Dillon Brooks was the standout performer, scoring 25 points and some of the most electrifying plays of the game. Devin Booker contributed 21 points and Mark Williams added 18. The Suns, with two wins in their last five games, are seventh in the West. The Lakers are fourth and have two straight losses, both without their star Doncic. They will play on Christmas Day against the Houston Rockets.
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