Lakers outrun, outgun Suns 121-102

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Los Angeles Lakers routed Phoenix 121-102 Thursday to cool off the Suns' sizzling start to the season.

Phoenix had won four in a row coming into the contest to sit atop the Western Conference standings but found the Lakers in top form.

Kobe Bryant scored a game-high 29 points and center Andrew Bynum marked his return to the lineup with 26 and 15 rebounds for the Lakers (7-1), who won their sixth in a row.

Phoenix (8-2) reserve Jared Dudley had 14 points and Steve Nash had 13 as the Suns struggled to find the mark, shooting 36 percent from the field.

"We did a very good job trying to corral a team that has been scoring out of this world," Bryant told reporters. "I'm pleased with the effort."

After taking a 14-point advantage at halftime, Los Angeles went on a 15-0 run in the third quarter to build a commanding 80-55 lead.

Phoenix, the highest scoring team in the NBA, were outrun and outgunned by Los Angeles. The Suns had their worst shooting night of the season.

Bynum had missed the team's previous two games with a sprained elbow but the 7-footer dominated the opposition's front line.

"It hurt a little bit when trying to keep guys away from the basket and on my jump hook. The extension is kind of tough," Bynum said

"We made them play defense and kept them playing against us to take their legs away."

The Suns were playing their second game in as many nights and looked off the pace. Amare Stoudemire finished with just eight points on 2-for-15 shooting.

The Lakers will return to the court again Friday against the Denver Nuggets in a rematch of last season's Western Conference Finals.

"I'm sure it's going to be a physical game," Bryant said. "We have history together. They'll be ready and so will we."

(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter Rutherford)