--G Jason Richardson had a rough night, scoring just five points on 2-for-9 shooting and struggling defensively against Kobe Bryant (29 points). The Suns were a minus-25 in Richardson's 25 minutes on the floor.

There were several shoving matches between Richardson and Bryant in the first half, one that forced Laker Sasha Vujacic to come between them (and pick up double technicals with Richardson). It was a mini-flashback to the 2007 playoffs, when altercations between Bryant and Raja Bell culminated in Bell's infamous clothesline hit that led to his ejection.

--G Steve Nash had a short night at home Wednesday but it didn't do much for his legs in Phoenix's seventh game in 10 days. Nash finished with 13 points and five assists in 24 minutes, but he was forced to take 10 shots and found the driving and passing lanes shut down by the Lakers. Nash also found himself in several discussions with the officials for the first time this season.

--F Amar'e Stoudemire had a tough night all around, like most of the Suns. He missed 13 of 15 shots from the field and finished with eight points, and was ineffective inside defensively against Andrew Bynum (26 points, 15 rebounds). Stoudemire never got into a rhythm on either and was pestered on nearly every shot as the Lakers worked hard to contest.

--F Jared Dudley continued to put up respectable numbers, even though much of it came after the issue was decided. He finished with 14 points and six rebounds in 24 minutes. He was the only Sun to shoot better than 50 percent from behind the arc against the Lakers (3-for-4).

MEDICAL WATCH:

--C Robin Lopez (broken foot) is back on the court working out can begin practicing next week after the latest X-rays showed proper healing He is still on track to return at the end of the month.