Abdul-Jabbar’s 23 Points Ignite Lakers

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored 23 points, and Byron Scott added 19 Friday night to lead the Lakers to a 103-94 exhibition victory over the Phoenix Suns.

The Suns led, 77-74, on a pair of free throws by Walter Davis in the third quarter before going cold for more than 10 minutes while the Lakers went on a 15-point run to take the lead for good.

Abdul-Jabbar hit two sky hooks and a layup to finish the third quarter with the Lakers in front, 80-77. Phoenix missed its first nine shots of the final period, and the Lakers took charge.

A.C. Green sank a jumper, followed by a 20-footer by Michael Cooper. Mychal Thompson’s free throw and hook shot made it 87-77, and Green finished the streak with a slam dunk to put the Lakers ahead, 89-77, with 7:15 remaining.

Davis, who led all scorers with 31 points, finally broke the cold spell with a 20-foot jumper. He scored 10 more points down the stretch, but the Lakers held off the Suns.

Also in double figures for the Lakers were Thompson with 18, Green 15, and Cooper 10. The Suns’ Armon Gilliam had 20, and James Edwards scored 14.