Los Angeles Lakers defeat Phoenix Suns in NBA playoffs
They are on a rampage and it is not just because of the usual one-man show. The team is actually performing as a team. To what it seems, the Los Angeles Lakers will fly away to the finals, but let us not get ahead of ourselves. After all, they are getting a good fight in the process.
As Paul Gasol made 14 dunks to gather 29 points in the 4th quarter while Kobe Bryant aced with 21 dunks along with 13 assists, the Lakers put a showstopper during the last minutes of the game to defeat the Phoenix Suns by 124-112. Ron Artest helped the process too with 18 points. They now have the edge in the Western Conference Finals by 2-0.
The defending champions got their eighth consecutive playoff victory, coming close to touching distance of the much-awaited NBA finals. On the other hand, the Boston Celtics are giving the Orlando Magic a tough time as they lead their Eastern Conference finals by 2-0. After driving out the Cleveland Cavaliers, the underdogs are the hot favourites in the tournament. If you were present at the Staple Centre, the mantra song would have truly inspired everyone.
After being undefeated in the post-season, the Lakers had become invincible despite the hard counter by the Suns. The Suns indeed played well as the final period started with a tie at 90 but Gasol and Bryant played prudently and strode them to victory.
Game 3 will be going on-air on Sunday night in Phoenix and the hype created will be tantalizing for the fans. The Suns will have to face the fearless LA offence that has a 57% score rate. If all goes as planned, then we will be lucky to witness the rivalry between Beantown and Hollywood.
Lamar Odom who showed fierce competition with the Magic's last season had a good game again by scoring 19 points. Grant Hill scored his 14 of 23 points in the 3rd quarter for Phoenix when he brought the game to a tie. Alas, the plays made by the team were unstoppable and Gasol and Bryant stunned everybody by their execution.
Though Jason Richardson got 27 points, Steve Nash had 11 with 15 assists and Jared Dudley hit five 3-pointers but they just were not enough in the end to defeat the 15 time champions.
The Lakers at half time had a lead of nine but had a better percentage of shots made. The Suns came back in the third quarter after scoring 14 of their 22 shots. Nevertheless, there was good news for the Lakers too. Their centre Andrew Bynum seemed more athletic than before. His right knee injury was back in full fitness as he produced 13 points.
The Lakers so far have lost only one best-of-seven playoff series and that was after they took a lead of two. They have won eight straight games since the post season in the 2001 playoffs.
As they head for a clash with the Celtics, it will be interesting to watch the conquerors. Would it be the new and improved Celtics or the fast and lanky Lakers?
Tags: