The Los Angeles Lakers put up a fight for all of about two minutes against the Suns in Phoenix on Sunday before being blown out the remainder of the game for yet another frustrating loss.
Against a Suns side that seems to take a particular joy in beating the Lakers, the deck was stacked for a purple and gold side far, far off the paces of actual contenders this year. And with LeBron James unable to go for 50 points again, it meant a game where the final conclusion was abundantly clear rather early on.