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NBA Highlights on Oct. 22: Nightmare for Lakers at home
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L-R: Anthony Davis (#3), LeBron James (#6) and Russell Westbrook (back) of the Los Angeles Lakers look on in the game against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, U.S., October 22, 2021. /CFP

L-R: Anthony Davis (#3), LeBron James (#6) and Russell Westbrook (back) of the Los Angeles Lakers look on in the game against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, U.S., October 22, 2021. /CFP

The Los Angeles Lakers suffered their second straight loss since the 2021-22 NBA regular season began after being walked over by the Phoenix Suns 115-105 at Staples Center on Friday.

The final score was misleading because the competition entered garbage time in the third quarter after the purple and gold trailed by over 30 points.

Unfortunately, that's not even the biggest embarrassment for the Lakers because it must rank next to the argument between Anthony Davis and Dwight Howard on the bench during the game. It almost turned physical if their teammates had not stopped them.

Anthony Davis (C) of the Los Angeles Lakers is surrounded by defenders of the Phoenix Suns in the game at Staples Center, October 22, 2021. /CFP

Anthony Davis (C) of the Los Angeles Lakers is surrounded by defenders of the Phoenix Suns in the game at Staples Center, October 22, 2021. /CFP

"Dwight Howard and AD got into a physical altercation on the bench…in my 42 years of being associated with the Lakers organization, I've never seen something like that smh," said Magic Johnson.

Though both Howard and Davis said "they squashed it" after the game, the Lakers began to fall apart after that ugly scene, both on the floor and on their mental state. The other moment of the game sent a similar message. LeBron James stopped Cameron Johnson in fast break by the Suns. But instead of joining his teammates for an early offense with a number advantage (Cameron was still lying on the ground), James just stood in the Lakers' paint, watching his teammates blew another round of offense.

Anyone could tell how frustrated James was due to the internal strife and his team's smothering spacing. Again, he became the best shooter of the Lakers, going 5-9 from downtown, which is a bad sign for the team.

Russell Westbrook (#0) of the Los Angeles Lakers drives in the game against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center, October 22, 2021. /CFP

Russell Westbrook (#0) of the Los Angeles Lakers drives in the game against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center, October 22, 2021. /CFP

The purple and gold's problems are obvious. Their regular lineup of putting Davis on the court with Howard/Deandre Jordan is poisonous, while Russell Westbrook adds another spacing liability from outside. Meanwhile, Jordan showed no interest in stepping out of the paint defensively. Howard is better than him, but he could easily fall into foul trouble. As a result, both are sitting ducks in front of Chris Paul or any other point guard who shoots to kill off the dribble.

If the Lakers try to make Davis center, their offense would improve, but it couldn't save their defense because they lack both defensive chemistry and capable help defender in the forward position when Davis must cover the opponents' ace.

Chris Paul (C) of the Phoenix Suns passes in the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center, October 22, 2021. /CFP

Chris Paul (C) of the Phoenix Suns passes in the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center, October 22, 2021. /CFP

By contrast, the Suns could have hosted a celebration party if it weren't at the Lakers' home. Chris Paul dropped 23 points, five rebounds and 14 assists, becoming the first NBA player to score 20,000+points and 10,000 assists in history.

Devin Booker pulled himself out of his underperformance in the season opener and joined Paul to torture the Lakers in the middle range. He also showed them how reliable Carmelo Anthony and Malik Monk are on defense.

LaMarcus Aldridge of the Brooklyn Nets celebrates after making a shot in the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., October 22, 2021. /CFP

LaMarcus Aldridge of the Brooklyn Nets celebrates after making a shot in the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., October 22, 2021. /CFP

Nets made the right decision signing back Aldridge

The Brooklyn Nets escaped by the skin of the Philadelphia 76ers' teeth 114-109 at Wells Fargo Center. Kevin Durant put down a triple-double of 29 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists. James Harden contributed 20 points, seven rebounds and eight assists while committing five turnovers. Patty Mills remained perfect from the 3-point line (3-3) to get 11 points.

But none of them was the team's hero on Friday because it was 36-year-old LaMarcus Aldridge who went 10-12 in field goals, including 5-5 in the last quarter to score 23 points, five rebounds and two blocks.

The Nets were struggling offensively most of the time on the court. Durant was held back by too many responsibilities; Harden somehow lost his edge of individual attack; the 3-point-shooting contributions by Joe Harris and Mills were neutralized by their disappointing defense of Seth Curry.

LaMarcus Aldridge (#21) of the Brooklyn Netsdunks in the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center, October 22, 2021. /CFP

LaMarcus Aldridge (#21) of the Brooklyn Netsdunks in the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center, October 22, 2021. /CFP

In the end, it turned out that Aldridge and his old-school middle-range shooting became the Nets' last straw to clutch at. The veteran scored nine points in the last five minutes. He even completed a 2+1 play dunking at Harden's pass.

Aldridge now is only 25 points from getting 20,000 in his NBA career. "Last year I was told I'm like 49 points from 20,000 so I don't know where I'm at now. You don't want to count those things (because then) you'll have a long night. I'm gonna go play, and when I hit it, I'll hit it," said the 36-year-old.

Joel Embiid (#21) of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots in the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Wells Fargo Center, October 22, 2021. /CFP

Joel Embiid (#21) of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots in the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Wells Fargo Center, October 22, 2021. /CFP

The 76ers are not looking at the best Joel Embiid who was only 6-15 to get 19 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two steals and four blocks. He's still a remarkable defender but far away from getting his offensive dominance back. The rest the team, however, are not so reliable either because the whole team went 6-23 in FGs in the last quarter.

Other games on Friday (away teams come first):

Charlotte Hornets 123-112 Cleveland Cavaliers

New York Knicks 121-96 Orlando Magic

Indiana Pacers 134-135 Washington Wizards

Toronto Raptors 115-83 Boston Celtics

New Orleans Pelicans 112-128 Chicago Bulls

Oklahoma City Thunder 91-124 Houston Rockets

San Antonio Spurs 96-102 Denver Nuggets

Utah Jazz 110-101 Sacramento Kings

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