Shaquille O'Neal had 36 points, 13 rebounds and made 16 of 18 free throws as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Phoenix Suns 117-94 Friday night for their third consecutive win.

O'Neal sank all nine of his free-throw attempts in the first half, and the Lakers led 54-46 at the break.

Kobe Bryant added 24 points and nine assists, and Lindsey Hunter had 13 points, his third consecutive double-digit game.

Phoenix's new backcourt of Penny Hardaway and Stephon Marbury combined to score 46 points, but the Suns' lack of a dominant center kept them from neutralizing O'Neal.

O'Neal dunked at will against Jake Voskuhl and backup Jake Tsakalidis.