How the Lakers Lost Game 3 of the WCF

• Weak defense - Suns forward Amare Stoudemire virtually had a career game with 42 points. He demolished the Lakers' defense with aggressive drives to the hoop and had a double-double. This is an indication that the Lakers were not able to stop the vaunted pick-and-roll offense the Suns are known for.
• Poor play from Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum - For the Lakers to win this series, this has got to be more than a Batman & Robin act from Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. Kobe and Pau played to their strengths and got their numbers. Lamar Odom, crucial to wins in Game 1 and Game 2, was a non-factor, ditto to Andrew Bynum. Bynum is key to clogging the middle and making the Phoenix offense become a jump shooting one.
• Free throw disparity - The Suns enjoyed a twenty two free throw attempt over the Lakers in Game 3 and the Suns won by nine. 'Nuff said.