BEIJING, May 8 -- The Phoenix Suns went from the brink to a blowout, from the edge of elimination to one of the most impressive turnarounds in NBA playoff history.

    So much for the nail-biting suspense of a Game 7. The fast, feisty Suns won in a 121-90 laugher over the listless Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.

    Leandro Barbosa led the layup parade with a career playoff-best 26 points on 10-of-12 shooting and the Suns became the eighth team in NBA history to win a series after trailing 3-1.

    That all-L.A. second-round series that looked so probable a few days ago vanished in a blur of Suns' fast breaks and repeated drives to the basket.

    Instead, the Clippers will come to Phoenix for Game 1 of the second-round series Monday night.

    Kobe Bryant scored 24 points of 8-of-16 shooting, but the rest of the Lakers starters were 17-for-50. Bryant scored only one point and took just three shots in the second half.

    The Brazilian Barbosa and Frenchman Boris Diaw led the way. Diaw had 21 points and nine assists as seven Suns scored in double figures. Phoenix's turnaround can be traced directly to the improved play of Barbosa and Diaw.

    "Tonight, Boris and Leandro were our best players," Steve Nash said. "The two guys that people said were disappointing in the beginning of the series, I think they are accustomed to the series now and they lost their virginity, so to speak, in the seventh game."

    Nash, who had 13 points and nine assists, sprained his right ankle late in the first half and was not as nimble as usual after that.

    Shawn Marion had 14 points and 10 rebounds for Phoenix.

    Raja Bell returned to a hero's welcome from a one-game suspension for throwing Bryant to the floor in Game 5. He scored 13 points and drew three offensive fouls against Bryant.

    Jackson lost for the first time in 45 series where his team had the lead

    The Lakers ¡ª after losing 126-118 in overtime at home in Game 6 Thursday night ¡ª barely offered resistance Saturday night, cutting the lead to single digits only once after falling behind 28-13 in front of a raucous packed house.

(Source:Shenzhen Daily/Agencies)