The Lakers hoped for a momentum-seizing night at Staples Center and an improved sense of continuity in the second game of their season.

Neither happened Friday.

The Lakers were overrun by the Phoenix Suns, 115-105, and fell to 0-2 in front of an often restless crowd at Staples Center.

Phoenix dominated down low and led by 32 in the third quarter. A late Lakers run made the game appear closer than it was.

There was a tense moment among the Lakers themselves toward the end of the second quarter. Anthony Davis and Dwight Howard had words during a timeout, with Davis pushing the reserve center into the seats on the Lakers' bench. They had to be separated by teammates.

A legendary Lakers player was stunned by the display.

"Dwight Howard and AD got into a physical altercation on the bench…in my 42 years of being associated with the Lakers organization, I've never seen something like that smh," Magic Johnson tweeted.

The disagreement stemmed from a blown defensive assignment against a Phoenix pick-and-roll. Howard said afterward that the issue was already behind him and Davis.

"We squashed it right then and there," Howard said. "We're both very passionate about winning… That's my brother, that's my teammate. That's what I told him — I will always be there for you."

"It's two guys who were very competitive and just want to win games… It's over with," Davis said.

Perhaps Lakers Coach Frank Vogel said it best.

"When you're getting your ass kicked, sometimes those conversations get heated. I'd rather those guys care than not care," he said.

The Suns beat the Lakers in the first round of last season's playoffs after Davis went down with a groin injury in Game 4. Friday's rematch wasn't very close as the Suns' offense flowed unchecked against a struggling Lakers' defense.

Suns guard Chris Paul had 23 points and 14 assists while becoming the first NBA player to reach 20,000 points and 10,000 assists in his career.

The Lakers actually took a step back from a season-opening loss to Golden State three nights earlier. That one came down to the fourth quarter where the Lakers' slim lead faded after they allowed 38 points in the final 12 minutes.

The Lakers were in jeopardy Friday after the first quarter. They were outscored in the middle two quarters, 71-41, settling for too many outside shots without penetrating the lane.

The Suns pummeled the Lakers in the paint, 48-12, through three quarters. Vogel estimated that the Lakers missed 12 layups on the night.

"We've got to finish better…and become a better paint-attacking team," he said.

Davis scored 22 points but made only six of 18 shots. Russell Westbrook looked better than he did in the opener, totaling 15 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists.

The silver linings were few to find, but one could be found in the Lakers' upcoming schedule. Their next seven games are against teams projected to miss playoffs, including two against Houston and two against Oklahoma City.

"I know a lot of people are counting us out already," Howard said before alluding to the Lakers' championship aspirations. "We want No. 18."