This is getting serious.
The Lakers, left for dead in many NBA circles before even hitting the ground in Honolulu for training camp, pushed through another level Tuesday by dropping the Phoenix Suns, 122-115, and moving to within a game of them in the Pacific Division standings.
Andrew Bynum outplayed two-time All-Star Amare Stoudemire, Kobe Bryant provided a stirring second half on the way to 38 points, and the Lakers won for the ninth time in their last 11 games while continuing to build an impressive resume, all in front of an amped-up Christmas Day crowd at Staples Center.
The Lakers' ledger, as it now stands: victories over Houston, Detroit, Utah, Phoenix (twice), Denver (twice) and a depleted San Antonio team.
A very merry Christmas for them, indeed.
It started with Bynum, who delivered a career-high 28 points on 11-for-13 shooting. He also had 12 rebounds. His counterpart, Stoudemire, had 19 points and six rebounds.
Bryant did his part after a quiet 12-point effort in the first half, bursting through with 26 points in the second half. He made 12 of 20 shots overall, 13 of 14 free throws and had seven assists to go with five rebounds.
Derek Fisher had 19 points, Lamar Odom had 15 (with 14 rebounds) and surprise starter Trevor Ariza scored 14, making the Lakers 5-0 when all five starters score in double figures this season.
"We have a solid foundation," Bryant said. "We've got length, we've got speed, we have quickness, we have shot-blocking, we have guys that get after the ball and steal it, we have playmakers. It's looking very solid."
Beyond that, the players offered few self-congratulatory observations while speaking mainly of a long road ahead, although they did find time to poke fun at Coach Phil Jackson's red-and-white bow tie that was, well, ornate.
"I thought it looked nice, you know what I mean?" Bynum said before pausing for effect. "You wouldn't catch me in it, but, you know . . . "
Bynum caught the Suns (19-9) off guard throughout the game, mixing in equal parts emotion and efficiency, as he has with greater regularity in recent weeks. After a second-quarter dunk on Stoudemire, he bounced up and down with a huge grin.
"I don't know if he's up and coming," Suns Coach Mike D'Antoni said. "He's there."
Bynum also played a season-high 42 minutes.
"I feel like I could play another game right now," he said. "They were hitting me right under the basket, so I have no choice but to dunk the ball."
