Home » Sports » Basketball
Bryant-led Lakers storm past Suns
Source: Agencies |
May 19, 2010, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
KOBE Bryant delivered a sensational 40 points as the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers stormed past the Phoenix Suns 128-107 in Game 1 of the Western Conference final on Monday.
Seemingly unaffected by his ailing right knee that was drained of fluid last week, Bryant choreographed a stunning display by the Lakers as they made the most of their size advantage against the smaller but speedy Suns.
The All-Star guard, who shot 13-of-23 from the field, scored 21 points in the third quarter alone to help his team tighten its grip after Phoenix had made a fast start at the Staples Center.
Spanish forward Pau Gasol added 21 points and Ron Artest 14 while Lamar Odom, off the bench, weighed in with 19 points and a playoff career-high 19 rebounds for the top seeds.
Forward Amar'e Stoudemire led the Suns with 23 points and guard Jason Richardson contributed 15.
Watched by a capacity crowd that included actors Dustin Hoffman and Sylvester Stallone, the Lakers were virtually unstoppable for the last two quarters as they won their seventh successive game in the playoffs.
"This is a surprise for us," Lakers head coach Phil Jackson told reporters. "We thought this was going to be a close game and we were able to jump away from them in the third quarter.
"Kobe had an outstanding night. He carried a lot of the offense. Pau played a fine game and so did Lamar. His rebounding in the second half was very instrumental."
Phoenix guard Steve Nash, who was restricted to 13 points by the Lakers, applauded the display by Bryant who completed the 11th game of his playoff career with at least 40 points.
"He had it going," the Suns guard said. "I didn't feel like we sent him to the (free throw) line a ton, I didn't feel like we let him get inside a ton but he made a ton of shots.
"You've got to tip your hat to the kind of performance he put on out there tonight."
Game 2 is also at the Staples Center tonight.
Seemingly unaffected by his ailing right knee that was drained of fluid last week, Bryant choreographed a stunning display by the Lakers as they made the most of their size advantage against the smaller but speedy Suns.
The All-Star guard, who shot 13-of-23 from the field, scored 21 points in the third quarter alone to help his team tighten its grip after Phoenix had made a fast start at the Staples Center.
Spanish forward Pau Gasol added 21 points and Ron Artest 14 while Lamar Odom, off the bench, weighed in with 19 points and a playoff career-high 19 rebounds for the top seeds.
Forward Amar'e Stoudemire led the Suns with 23 points and guard Jason Richardson contributed 15.
Watched by a capacity crowd that included actors Dustin Hoffman and Sylvester Stallone, the Lakers were virtually unstoppable for the last two quarters as they won their seventh successive game in the playoffs.
"This is a surprise for us," Lakers head coach Phil Jackson told reporters. "We thought this was going to be a close game and we were able to jump away from them in the third quarter.
"Kobe had an outstanding night. He carried a lot of the offense. Pau played a fine game and so did Lamar. His rebounding in the second half was very instrumental."
Phoenix guard Steve Nash, who was restricted to 13 points by the Lakers, applauded the display by Bryant who completed the 11th game of his playoff career with at least 40 points.
"He had it going," the Suns guard said. "I didn't feel like we sent him to the (free throw) line a ton, I didn't feel like we let him get inside a ton but he made a ton of shots.
"You've got to tip your hat to the kind of performance he put on out there tonight."
Game 2 is also at the Staples Center tonight.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
