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Shaquille O'Neal watched from the bench and Kobe Bryant was not in attendance as the Phoenix Suns defeated Los Angeles 104-86 Tuesday night in the Lakers' first exhibition game on the U.S. mainland.
The Suns took control by outscoring Los Angeles 26-12 in the third quarter to take an 83-66 lead into the fourth.
O'Neal rested his bruised left heel and said it was uncertain whether he would play Thursday against Cleveland. Ticketmaster
Bryant, due in court Wednesday in Eagle, Colo., for a preliminary hearing in his sexual assault case, participated in the team's morning shootaround by riding a stationary bicycle. He did not make the two-hour bus ride south from Los Angeles with the rest of the team.
``Didn't want him here. If he's not going to play in the ballgame, ultimately it's very difficult for the fans,'' coach Phil Jackson said. ``These people really want to see Kobe play and I know he'd be a distraction.'' Ticketmaster
Bryant continues to recover from offseason knee surgery, and Jackson said he would likely not play Thursday against LeBron James and the Cavaliers in the Lakers' first preseason game at the Staples Center.
Shawn Marion led Phoenix with 19 points.
Derek Fisher had 14 for the Lakers.