Los Angeles Lakers: 4 Lessons on a series takeover in Game 3 over Suns

The Los Angeles Lakers got the needed split on the road to play in Staples Center for Game 3. Despite Chris Paul’s efforts, the Suns were no match for the bigger Lakers. Anthony Davis and Andre Drummond provided the muscle and LeBron James provided the “Showtime” theatrics.

Lake Show Life breaks down what else happened in Lake Show Life Lessons! The only Los Angeles Lakers extended post-game report with in-depth analysis and highlights.

It’s about time for the Lake Show Life staff to start scouting potential matchups with the Denver Nuggets. When Chris Paul starts discussing how his teams have lost 11 straight games that were refereed by Scott Foster, things are turning for the worst. As Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal always says…

“If the general doesn’t panic, the troops won’t panic”. The Phoenix Suns showed they were in panic mode because they know the Los Angeles Lakers have figured them out.

The Los Angeles Lakers now own their first series lead of the NBA playoffs with a 109-95 win over the Phoenix Suns in the Staples Center with 7,500 fans. They now lead 2-1 in the series and the Suns have a couple of issues to deal with before Game 4.

Issue number one…

Devin Booker was given a flagrant two and was ejected at the end of the game for this dirty play pushing Dennis Schroder in the air that could have caused an injury. Jae Crowder’s shove was not much better and he got tossed about 30 seconds later. Anthony Davis made it a point in his post-game interview that Booker’s play was not a basketball play via ESPN.

"“Can’t happen,” Davis said of Booker’s foul. “Can’t do that. They’ve been chirping, it’s playoff basketball, but you don’t push a guy out of the air like that, two hands. It’s a dirty play. Dennis could have really got hurt right there. … That just can’t happen. Hard fouls, things like that, playoff basketball. We accept those, but just to blatantly push a guy with two hands out of the air, it’s a scary play. Good thing he’s OK, but plays like that, it’s unacceptable.”"

Now the question is…will Devin Booker be around for Game 4?

The Lake Show Life Lessons staff brought in Kevin Germany who is doing double duty for FanSided’s NBA division covering the Lakers (Lake Show Life) and the Suns (Valley of the Sun) to get his view and opinion on if Booker should play.

Lake Show Life:

Thank you Kevin for being a part of this report. Let’s get right to it. Do you believe Devin Booker should be suspended for Game 4?

Kevin Germany: 

"I wouldn’t be surprised if Devin Booker gets suspended for at least Game 4 due to the Flagrant 2. Taking bump from that high up on a hard floor can mess you up. Maybe Coach Cal can make peace between Book and Anthony Davis (who was right to call him out)"

Lake Show Life:

Final question…This could be a “Captain Obvious” question, but we need to be thorough here. No Booker…no chance?

Kevin Germany:

"Booker playing Game 4? If not, that’s a wrap…."

Issue number two:

It might be a wrap anyway. This series is starting to look a lot like the first-round series against Portland in the bubble last year. A star gets hurt and then the Lakers smell blood and put their foot on the gas and never look back. Last year it was Damian Lillard, this year it’s Chris Paul.

The Suns had no chance to start with Paul basically playing with one arm. CP3 did his best in the first half keeping his team close, but the bottom line is he can’t shoot.

The midrange shots he usually takes can no longer set up the shooters for 3 pointers.  His shoulder won’t even allow Paul to even attempt to shoot 3 pointers of his own. Now that Chris Paul is no longer effective, the defense will start to load up on two Suns players to close out this series.

Devin Booker:

Devin Booker is close to breaking. It is evident in the play on Schroder shown above. Devin is known to lose his cool when the defensive pressure is strongest. Game 3 looks like the beginning of the end.

Booker finished with only 19 points on 6-19 shooting with 4 turnovers. The narrative of Booker being able to run the Phoenix offense got seriously exposed. Cameron Payne is not a pure point guard despite playing well in this series. 

Deandre Ayton:

The Lakers still haven’t found a way to stop Ayton yet but that day is coming soon. If none of the Suns shooters can hit shots, the defense will surround Deandre in the paint and wear him down.

The Lakers will play one more game at home on Sunday before going back to Phoenix for Game 5. Those two “extra days” will be welcomed for rest and recuperation for the superstars.

To the new Los Angeles Lakers fans that are checking us out for the first time, welcome to Lake Show Life Lessons. Our extended post-game report with video analysis will cover the progress for the Los Angeles Lakers this entire postseason!

Over the next several pages we will provide highlights of certain players and coaches. Afterward, the comment section is loaded with knowledgeable fans adding their basketball knowledge. We usually start with the stars.

 Let’s get to Lesson One to find out who!