The reasons of Lakers' victory

Los Angeles Lakers got a 99-93 victory against Phoenix Suns, but there was a time in the game where their 17-point lead got shredded and their nerves were almost frayed. Thanks again to Kobe Bryant and a great team effort, the Lakers ultimately ran away from the Suns to even their best-of-seven series at 1-1.

Reports say that Bryant was very questioned after an unusually quiet Game 1, and he answered marking 29 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and made 12 of 24 shots. Lamar Odom provided another strong effort, scoring 21 points on 9-for-12 shooting.

It's important to mention that game 3 is tonight at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Sun guard Steve Nash was more error-prone than usual, totaling 29 points and nine assists but also six turnovers. We must say though, that Shawn Marion had 13 points on 5-for-15 shooting. Tim Thomas, who had 22 points in Game 1, was limited to 11.

"I thought defensively it was our night," Lakers coach Phil Jackson stated. ''I thought that was the best thing."

But it was also Bryant. In Game 1, he scored 22 points on 7-for-21 shooting and was labeled passive, in a politically correct way, by pretty much everybody who mattered on the Suns.

He enhanced his power in Game 2, fighting through double teams, again finding open teammates and, this time, performing open shots.

"I felt much more comfortable," Bryant said about the second game. "I feel like we did a much better job. Everybody contributed . . . We moved the ball, we played perfect defensively as a team, we played great offensively as a team."