After two Western Conference Finals games, the Los Angeles Lakers have shot 57.8% from the field and have scored 252 points. 

Game 2 proved that the Phoenix Suns have no hope of winning this series.  Amid their 124-112  victory tonight, the Lakers demonstrated that they can get easy shots whenever they need to.  L.A. placed seven players in double figures, and two others were merely five points from joining them (with 10 or more points).

The Suns got more than they could ask for from Jared Dudley, who came off the bench and hit 5-5 from three-point land.  Grant Hill also showed signs of offensive life, particularly in the second half – ending the game with 23 on 10-16 shooting.  Jason Richardson stepped up in this game, putting in work with 27 points, including 3 triples.

But Phoenix’s better performance withstanding, the Lakers were simply better.  Pau Gasol was huge once again, scoring 29 points on some of the easiest shots ever seen in playoff history.  Kobe Bryant was more than satisfied playing the role of facilitator, posting a career postseason high 13 assists to complement his 21 points.  Lamar Odom continued his stellar play off the bench with 17 points and 11 rebounds.  Ron Artest bucketed 18 on some efficient shooting (6-9 FG, 3-6 three’s).

Ron Artest was able to capitalize on some open looks tonight.

In other words, things came easy for Los Angeles.

The Suns must put a lineup on the floor that is very unconventional.  Their only possible chance – which I’m not even sure that there’s a possibility – is to play small and do their best to create some sort of advantage.  Put Steve Nash and Goran Dragic in the backcourt together.  Speed things up and see what happens.  We’ve already seen that playing ‘mano-y-mano’ with the Lakers is not going to work.  

Also, Phoenix has to, at the very least, find a way to confuse the champs on defense.  Everything is working for L.A.  As the Suns head home for Game 3, they’ll have to get in passing lanes, get hands on balls and just be aggressive defensively. 

After all, playing a little defense may allow them to win one game in this series.