Len’s double-double, Booker’s 22 in first half lift Suns to win over Lakers

Nov 17, 2017, 11:24 PM | Updated: Nov 18, 2017, 12:01 am

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers center Brook Lopez defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

BY KELLAN OLSON

Suns reporter, ArizonaSports.com editor

A monster first half from Devin Booker propelled the Phoenix Suns to a 122-113 win over the Los Angeles Lakers Friday night.

Booker scored 22 of his 33 points in the first half, hitting six 3-pointers in the opening 24 minutes.

Devin Booker sprays six 3-pointers on Lakers in first half pic.twitter.com/Bxy8cGknvu

— Matt Petersen (@TheMattPetersen) November 18, 2017

While Booker would press further in the second half to try to carry his team to a win in the second game of a back-to-back (he took 27 shots in the game), he received enough scoring support around him to get it done without replicating his success in the second half.

Alex Len had 17 points, 18 rebounds and two blocks off the bench, playing one of his best games in a Suns uniform.

Most importantly, though, the Suns had positive contributions at point guard.

Tyler Ulis scored 15 points and added seven assists while Mike James had a team-high eight assists to go along with nine points off the bench. The Suns tied a season high for assists in a game with 28, a number they reached in the game Thursday against the Houston Rockets.

Phoenix was able to get the win on a night in which the Lakers got 30 points out of rookie forward Kyle Kuzma, who continues to impress. Kuzma’s 30 is the most points scored by an NBA rookie in a game this season, passing Lonzo Ball’s 29 against the Suns earlier in the season.

SCUFFLE

For the second straight game between the two teams, there was an incident between opposing players. In Phoenix on Monday, it was Booker having words with the Lakers bench.

Friday, it was Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ulis getting into it after a timeout was called, causing several players to rush over to the scrum.

Lakers-Suns getting chippy 👀 pic.twitter.com/eghvNqWfzO

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 18, 2017

Caldwell-Pope, Ulis and Jackson were all given technical fouls.

Follow @KellanOlson

Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram, center, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Marquese Chriss, left, and guard Devin Booker defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns center Alex Len, right, of Ukraine, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers center Brook Lopez defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma, center, is hit in the face by Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, below, as he passes the ball while under pressure from Suns forward TJ Warren during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, in Los Angeles. The Suns won 122-113. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball, left, and guard Jordan Clarkson defend during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, in Los Angeles. The Suns won 122-113. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns forward TJ Warren, right, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, in Los Angeles. The Suns won 122-113. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns forward Josh Jackson, right, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, and Los Angeles Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope compete for a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns guard Tyler Ulis, left, deflects a pass intended for Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns forward TJ Warren, left, and Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram reach for a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns center Alex Len, of Ukraine, shoots during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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