Lakers beat Suns in opening game

Kobe Bryant, playing with a bad knee, had no problem giving defending champions Los Angeles Lakers an early leg up in the NBA Western Conference finals, beating the Phoenix Suns 128-107 in last night’s opening game.



Bryant led Lakers with 40 points and was well supported by Pau Gasol with 21 points and Lamar Odom, who added 19 points and 19 rebounds.



Amare Stoudemire scored 23 points and Steve Nash had 13 points and 13 assists for Phoenix, who hadn\'t lost since April 24



The defending NBA champions beat the third-seeded Suns at their own uptempo game when necessary, fluidly running the court to set up baskets for Bryant in his sixth straight 30-point game. Bryant then rested his sore knee for most of the fourth quarter in the 11th 40-point game of his playoff career.



Game two is tomorrow at Staples Center.