Kobe Bryant has 39 points, but Lakers still lose to Suns, 112-106

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Carlos Boozer and Suns guard Goran Dragic battle for a loose ball during the first half of a game on Nov. 4. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Kobe Bryant and Suns guard Goran Dragic compete for a loose ball during the first half of a game on Nov. 4. Bryant finished with 39 points and nine rebounds in the Lakers’ 112-106 loss to the Suns. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Kobe Bryant had 39 points in 44 minutes, but the Laker still lost to the Phoenix Suns, 112-106, on Tuesday at Staples Center. (Paul Buck / EPA)

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Kobe Bryant and Jeremy Lin take a moment to talk strategy during the Lakers’ 112-106 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday at Staples Center. (Paul Buck / EPA)

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Phoenix forward Markieff Morris has his shot altered by the defense of Ed Davis during the first half of a game at Staples Center on Nov. 4. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Ryan Kelly defends against Phoenix’s Isaiah Thomas during the first half of a game on Nov. 4. (Paul Buck / EPA)

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Phoenix guard Isaiah Thomas puts up a shot against Carlos Boozer during the first half of a game on Nov. 4. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Carlos Boozer dribbles the ball while being defended by Suns forward Marcus Morris. Boozer had five points in the first half. (Paul Buck / EPA)

By Eric Pincus

Nov. 4, 2014 6:45 PM PT

Phoenix Suns 112 - Lakers 106

The Lakers gave a much better performance against the Suns on Tuesday night, after getting beaten by 20 (119-99) last week in Phoenix.

After closing within two points of the Suns on a Kobe Bryant three-pointer, with just over a minute left in the game, the Suns answered at the line with a pair of Eric Bledsoe free throws.

Bryant backed down defender P.J. Tucker but missed on a fadeaway. On the ensuing possession, Marcus Morris found Tucker in the corner for an open three-point shot, and the Suns were suddenly out of the Lakers’ reach, up seven with 19.9 seconds on the clock.

Bryant finished with a season-high 39 points, shooting 14-37 from the field (37.8%).

The Lakers did a lot right against the Suns, but ultimately struggled to get stops down the stretch of a close game.

Gerald Green led the Suns with 26 points off the bench. Reserve Isaiah Thomas scored 22 points with nine assists. Starter Markieff Morris added 23 points, including a number of clutch baskets in the final minutes.

The Lakers left 11 points at the free throw line (30-41, 73.2%) while shooting 39.8% from the field.

Jeremy Lin contributed 18 points, hitting nine of his 10 free throw attempts - six in a row over a one-minute stretch in the fourth.

Jordan Hill notched a double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds. Carlos Boozer scored 13, but the Lakers fall to 0-5 to start the season.

Phoenix shot 45.1% from the field and 77.4% from the line (24-31). Both teams hit six three-point attempts.

Ryan Kelly made a brief season debut, scoring two points in seven minutes after sitting out with hamstring issues.

The Suns play Wednesday night at home, hosting the Memphis Grizzlies (4-0). The Lakers are off until Sunday, when they’ll host the Charlotte Hornets (1-3).

Suns 79 - Lakers 75 (end of third quarter)

Kobe Bryant gave the home crowd a scare in the third quarter, leaping over the first row of spectators, landing awkwardly after chasing a loose ball. The veteran guard showed he still has some hops in those 36-year old legs.

The Lakers played hard through the period, getting a boost from Carlos Boozer who scored eight (13 for the game). Bryant reached 25 points but shot just 8-24 (33.3%) from the field.

Isaiah Thomas continued to pester the Lakers, using his quickness to score 19 points with three steals.

The Lakers hurt themselves at the free throw line, missing 11 (18-29), in a close, four-point game.

Phoenix shot 41.4% from the field as a team; the Lakers hit 39.4%.

Suns 58 - Lakers 46 (halftime)

The Lakers stumbled in the second quarter, getting out-scored by 10 points. The team shot just 38.5% from the field (15-39) through 24 minutes, led by Kobe Bryant with 18.

The Suns got 15 points from Isaiah Thomas and 13 from Gerald Green, both off the bench, to push ahead by 12 at the half.

After a strong first quarter, Lin struggled in the second, sitting with three fouls. Jordan Hill, who had been a major offensive force the past two games, scored just four points -- all at the line.

The Suns shot 43.1% from the field and 92.3% from the line (12-13). The Lakers missed eight free throws in 20 attempts (60%), making up a significant portion of their halftime deficit.

Suns 26 - Lakers 24 (end of first quarter)

Jeremy Lin got off to a quick start, scoring eight points in just under 9 1/2 minutes, but the Suns closed out the first quarter with a two-point lead.

Kobe Bryant came on strong late in the period, adding nine points as the Lakers shot 44.4% from the field.

Either the Lakers played defense or the Suns struggled to hit shots. Phoenix hit just 35.7% from the field and 16.7% from three-point range (1-6).

Markieff Morris led the Suns with eight points.

The Lakers (0-4) get another crack at the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night at Staples Center, after losing in Phoenix last week, 119-99.

Ryan Kelly is expected to make his season debut after a pair of hamstring strains. The Lakers will play without Julius Randle (broken leg), Steve Nash (back) and Nick Young (thumb).

P.J. Tucker will be available for the Suns after a three-game DUI suspension.

For an in-depth breakdown, check out Preview: Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.