Lakers without 3 reserves

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LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Lakers' subpar second unit were even more depleted Tuesday when they beat the visiting Phoenix Suns 99-83.

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Forward Josh McRoberts missed his fifth straight game with a sprained big toe on his left foot and two other Lakers reserves joined him on the inactive list. Troy Murphy has gastroenteritis and stayed home because of the illness and Jason Kapono was given the night off by head coach Mike Brown to be with his family. Jason's wife, Ashley, gave birth to twin girls -- Isla and Campbell -- on Tuesday.

McRoberts is listed as day to day, but told reporters that he would like to return to the court sometime this week. Kapono will accompany the team when it flies to Utah on Tuesday night for its game on Wednesday against the Jazz. Murphy is not planning to fly with the team, but if his condition improves could fly to Utah individually on a commercial flight.

It came as a blow to the Lakers bench that came into the game averaging a measly 24.8 points and 12.5 rebounds per game as a group.

McRoberts is averaging 5.7 points and 5.7 rebounds this season. Murphy is averaging 3.7 points and 5.6 rebounds. Kapono is averaging 4.0 points and shooting 36.4 percent on 3-pointers.

Brown said that he could increase Metta World Peace's minutes at power forward but also said he was considering playing Luke Walton or Devin Ebanks in Murphy's stead. Andrew Goudelock filled in for Kapono at backup shooting guard.

Dave McMenamin covers the Lakers for ESPNLosAngeles.com.

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Dave McMenamin

ESPNLosAngeles.com

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Dave McMenamin spent five seasons as a staff writer for NBA.com in New York and Los Angeles before joining ESPNLosAngeles.com to cover the Lakers and the NBA.