Lakers @ Suns Game 1: 1st Quarter Live Blog

Lakers @ Suns | 1st Qtr | 2nd Qtr | 3rd Qtr | 4th Qtr

One of the most anticipated matchups of the first round gets going today, with Kobe taking his Lakers into Phoenix to face the Suns. Last year's series went seven, and was one of the more memorable of the early rounds (especially Game 4). While we're not expecting it to go as many games this year, these two teams don't like each other much, so it should make for some very entertaining playoff basketball. Join me for all the action back here at 1200PST for all of the live-blogging action.

- The MVP chant is SO played out -- stop it, Suns fans.

- So the Lakers finally went to Jordan Farmar in favor of Smush at the starting point guard spot. Is it a good thing that your starting point guard for the playoffs was playing in D-League games a couple of weeks ago?

- If Lamar is going to miss layups, the Lakers REALLY have no shot against the Suns.

- Nice of Luke to go with the Britney Spears 'do for the playoffs. Maybe there was something to that rumor.

- Nice pass from Farmar and nice and-1 for Kobe. Smush could not have made that pass.

- Kobe came to play today, hits a tough spinning fade away jumper there.

- Everyone's making way too much of comments that the Suns made in a year-old book. No one read that until now?
- Lakers starting off strong. Sorry Suns fans, when you hit Kobe square on the arm as he shoots, it actually is a foul.

- DM, relax, it's only the first quarter of Game 1! You gotta deal with the lakers for at least three more games.

- Kobe taking control, 12 points already and an early Laker 5-point lead. Good start, you can't fall behind early against this Suns team and expect to have any chance.

- Much was made of Kwame Brown's absence when he was injured, and for good reason. The dude's a huge presence on the interior for the Lakers, even if he's an offensive liability.

- Suns start off just 5-16 from the field, but the Lakers missing a lot of shots in the paint and only lead by five. The Suns aren't going to shoot like this all day, so L.A. would be wise to build a bigger lead right now.

- Two fouls on Ra-Ra, looks like Bell did get jobbed there. Lakers really need to make their free throws, lead is up to eight.

- Forces from Kobe the last two possessions there, and the Lakers only able to lead by five despite the Suns' poor shooting.