BRYANT IS HOT, BUT SUNS ARE HOTTER KOBE SCORES 51 POINTS, BUT LAKERS STILL LOSE PHOENIX 107, LAKERS 96.

Byline: Ross Siler Staff Writer

PHOENIX - What starte out as a playoff preview for the Lakers and Suns turned into another scoring show for Kobe Bryant. Then it turned into a game, surprisingly enough for the Lakers, who hadn't beaten Phoenix since the Shaquille O'Neal trade.

But the Lakers couldn't keep pace with the Suns in the fourth quarter, almost a guarantee playing the second game on back-to-back nights. They lost 107-96 Friday night as Bryant scored 51 points, a record at US Airways Center.

If nothing else, Bryant wrapped up the NBA's scoring title with Friday's performance. What it all means for the Lakers' playoff fortunes will have to be sorted out over the next week and a half.

The Lakers (40-37) moved into a tie with Sacramento for the bottom two playoff seeds in the Western Conference. They sit only two games ahead of the ninth-place Hornets as well.

But the Lakers had every reason to be encouraged, even in a loss. They still haven't beaten the Suns in seven games since the O'Neal trade but fared well against the team they would face if the playoffs started today.

The Lakers lost for only the third time in the 10 games Bryant has scored 50 or more points in his career. Steve Nash led the Suns with 25 points and eight assists and Leandro Barbosa had 23 points off the bench for Phoenix.

The previous arena record was shared by Amare Stoudemire and Clifford Robinson, both of whom scored 50 points.

The Lakers ran out of gas in the fourth quarter with Bryant on the bench. Shawn Marion dunked off an alley-oop pass and the Suns built an 86-79 lead before Lakers coach Phil Jackson sent Bryant back into the game.

Lamar Odom missed a step-back 3-pointer and tossed up a shot off the side of the backboard on the first play with Bryant back. Marion got behind Odom for another alley-oop dunk and the Suns never looked back.

Eddie House connected on two jumpers and the Suns were up 98-83. They did all their damage in the fourth quarter with Nash on the bench. Marion had only two points entering the fourth but finished with 12 for the game. He also had 14 rebounds.

It was the most points for Bryant since his epic 81-point performance against Toronto in January.

Bryant also was called for his 14th technical foul of the season with 1:31 left in the third quarter. He was yelling at referee Mike Callahan for not calling a foul at the other end of the floor when Raja Bell plowed into him driving toward the basket.

Bryant was whistled for the blocking foul when a charge could have been called. If he receives two more technical fouls in the regular season, Bryant faces a one-game suspension.

All three games against the Suns this season have shared one similarity for the Lakers: They have faced the Suns in the second game of a back-to-back set having played a late national television game the night before.

In addition, the Lakers have gone to overtime in all three of those television games, making for an even later night. The Lakers didn't arrive in Phoenix until close to 3 a.m. after losing in overtime 110-108 to Denver on Thursday.

Nash was at his best Friday as the Suns built a 64-52 lead by halftime. The reigning league MVP had 17 points on 7 of 10 shooting and seven assists. Phoenix shot 58.7 percent in the first half and had nine baskets off layups or dunks.

ross.siler(at)dailynews.com

[phone]