Los Angeles Lakers evened the playoff first round series against the Phoenix Suns with a 99-93 away win over Mike D`Antoni`s team. The man of the game was, of course, Kobe Bryant. He scored a total of 29 points and had 10 assists to lead his team in the first playoff win in the last 2 years. After falling in the first game in Phoenix, Lakers fought back and now have the home court advantage for the next 2 games.

"In the playoffs, everybody kind of has a rhythm for the game. During the regular season, we were trying to find our rhythm and I had to shoulder the scoring load. We know we can start attacking teams as a unit and not me going out there trying to score 40 or 50 points. Tonight everybody contributed. We are just trying to work hard on defense. We are attacking as a unit," said Bryant, pleased with the result. After leading the top-scorer standings in the NBA season (more than 35 points/game), Bryant is now feeling the same enthusiasm he felt 4 or 5 years ago, when Lakers were the Playoff favorites.

Phoenix tried their best to outscore the Lakers, but Shaun Marion did not get his best game yesterday night. He only scored 13 points, as Phoenix will go into Game 3 hoping they'll do better. The next two games of the series will take place in Los Angeles.

In the other matches played yesterday night, Dallas outscored Memphis 94-79 to lead the series 2-0, while Detroit extended their lead in the series against Milwaukee with a 109-98 win at home.