Lakers beat Suns 108-88 for 9th straight victory

LOS ANGELES: Ron Artest kicked off the Lakers' decisive rally by harassing Amare Stoudemire to the limits of legality until Phoenix's big man coughed up the ball in the backcourt. Kobe Bryant then drove the lane and Stoudemire moved over an instant too late to draw a charge.

Although the Los Angeles Lakers always seemed to be a bit quicker and slicker in a 108-88 victory over the Suns on Sunday night, the defending NBA champions realize their nine-game winning streak almost carries an asterisk, what with the unfair advantages of their home-heavy early-season schedule.

Bryant scored 26 points and Artest added 15 points and five steals as the Lakers raced away from Phoenix in the second half. Eight of their nine wins in a row have been at Staples Center, where the Lakers play 17 of their first 21 overall.