PHOENIX -- The Los Angeles Lakers' repeat title hopes are on life support after Tuesday's 115-85 shellacking by the Phoenix Suns in Game 5 of their Western Conference first-round series, putting L.A. one loss away from elimination. "We'll find out what we ...

Brown has played himself into being an MVP candidate with Jayson Tatum sidelined after tearing his Achilles in the playoffs last season, averaging a career-high 29.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.9 assists with Boston being one of the biggest surprises in the NBA with a 37-19 record, good for second in the Eastern Conference.

To see the Los Angeles Lakers’ offense digress the way it did during Sunday’s loss to the Celtics — despite their prolific individual offensive talent — shouldn’t have been a surprise. The Celtics poked at one of the Lakers’ tactical weaknesses that’s been evident for the last few months.

While the Phoenix Suns search for offense, the Boston Celtics are thriving behind Jaylen Brown, who belongs in the MVP conversation, according to one four-time MVP.

The Phoenix Suns continued their four-game homestand with a 92-77 loss Feb. 22 to the Portland Trail Blazers before a sellout crowd of 17,071 at Mortgage Matchup Center in the second of a back-to-back.