With 34 points from Devin Booker, the Phoenix Suns applied a 99-90 first loss to the Los Angeles Lakers at the start of their NBA playoff series.
The Lakers, current NBA champions, start this way with a 1-0 loss in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
LeBron James, with 18 points and 10 assists, and Anthony Davis, 13 points and 7 rebounds, had a discreet performance and could not sustain the Lakers in a crude duel against the Suns, second classified in the regular phase.
With the fiery support of the Phoenix Suns Arena, Booker was a dagger for the Los Angeles defense with 34 points and 8 assists, accompanied by center DeAndre Ayton with 21 points and 16 rebounds.
Veteran point guard Chris Paul had to retire several times to the locker room after damaging his right shoulder and finished the game with 7 points and 8 assists.
The Lakers, who had to qualify for the playoffs through the ‘play in’ (repechage), will try to equal the series in the second game on Tuesday, again in Phoenix. (GG) (AFP)