(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
The Lakers return to Los Angeles and get back to business, improved defense (15 turnovers for Phoenix), deflections ( 7 steals), and 10 blocks. Ron Artest beat the buzzer with a wild bank shot after rebounding Kobe Bryant’s miss, and the Lakers beat the Phoenix Suns 103-101 on Thursday night to take a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference finals.
Bryant had 30 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists for the Lakers, but Artest was the improbable hero with just his second basket of the night after missing back-to-back threes on the previous possession. Pau Gasol had 21 points and 9 rebounds.
The Suns rallied from an 18 point deficit to tie the game with 3.5 seconds left. Of course the game winner went to Kobe, who air balled the shot. Ron Artest got the rebound and with 1.8 seconds left put it the basket off the glass.
Steve Nash had 29 points and 11 assists, and was the only consistent player the Suns had. Channing Frye had 14 points, and 10 boards. The Suns bench went from scoring 54 points in Game 4 to 31 in Game 5.
The Lakers had 28 dimes to the Suns 19.
Game 6 is Saturday night in Phoenix, where the Lakers can clinch the chance to play for their 16th championship. Lakers lead series 3-2.
