NBA Report: Suns Run All Over Lakers, 126-98

The Phoenix Suns aren't the favorites to win the NBA title or even to come out of the Western Conference. After their impressive start to the postseason, those odds may change.

Leandro Barbosa, presented with the NBA Sixth Man Award trophy before tipoff on Tuesday night, scored 26 points to match his career playoff high for the second game in a row and the Suns routed the Los Angeles Lakers, 126-98, in Game 2 of their NBA first-round series in Phoenix. The Suns lead the best-of-seven series 2-0.

Steve Nash had 16 points and 14 assists, then sat out the final 14.5 minutes as the Suns had the game in hand. Six players finished in double figures for Phoenix, which easily covered against the spread of 9 points. The Suns are 7/2 to win it all and 2/1 to emerge as the West champion; Dallas is the odds-on favorite in both wagers.

Amare Stoudemire, who was watching in street clothes when the Suns lost Game 2 to the Lakers a year ago, added 20 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots - two of them spectacular ones against Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom to set the tone in the first quarter.

Bryant, the NBA's scoring champ who was coming off a 39-point performance in the Lakers' 95-87 loss in Game 1 on Sunday, scored 15 on 5-for-13 shooting.

Game 3 is Thursday night in Los Angeles.

The only other NBA playoff action on Tuesday was in the Eastern Conference:

Chicago 107, Miami 89: Ben Gordon scored 27 points and Luol Deng added 26 to lead the host Bulls to a 2-0 series lead over the defending champions. Gordon scored 11 in the third quarter, hitting three three-pointers, and the Bulls built a 17-point lead. Deng scored 14 in the fourth as Chicago sent Miami halfway to elimination while easily covering the 3-point spread.

Shaquille O'Neal accused the Bulls of flopping and lashed out at referee Eddie F. Rush after Game 1, but said it was a "perfect game today" for the officials.

Toronto 89, New Jersey 83: Hours after Sam Mitchell was named NBA Coach of the Year, his team rewarded him with a crucial victory that evened their series at 1. Anthony Parker scored 26 points, and Chris Bosh had 25 points and 13 rebounds to lead host Toronto. New Jersey's Bostjan Nachbar missed a three-pointer from the corner that would have tied the score with eight seconds left. Toronto made its late free throws to barely cover the spread of 5.5 points.

For NBA playoff odds, visit the Bodog Sportsbook.

PHOTO: Steve Nash scored 16 points and dished out 14 assists as the Suns pounded the Lakers in Game 2. (AI Wire photo)