LA Lakers defeat Phoenix Suns with buzzer-beating shot
Ron Artest became a part of the Lakers’ playoff lore with a bank shot to beat the Phoenix Suns.
The defending champions were tied with the Phoenix Suns at 101-101 with just seconds left and when Kobe Bryant missed a last ditch attempt it looked like the game was heading for overtime.
Artest rambled into the lane and beat the buzzer with a wild shot after grabbing Kobe Bryant’s air ball, and the Lakers edged the Suns, 103-101, Thursday night to take a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference finals.
Artest, who scored just four points in the game, described the shot as the “biggest layup” of his career. Bryant said: “I’m very happy for (Ron). But we’ll leave it here and go up there and try to win one. It means a lot for him. I think for him emotionally, it’s a big boost. … Once I released the ball, I saw Ron sneaking in. I was just hoping that he got it off in time.”
Artest’s basket completed a 2-for-9 shooting night redeemed by one supremely heady offensive rebound. Moments earlier, Jason Richardson banked in a straightaway 3-pointer with 3.5 seconds left to tie it for the Suns.
“I wasn’t playing my game from the beginning,” Artest said. “In the second half, I was finding my way a little bit, made some good passes and good steals and got some rebounds. So I guess that aggressive play can carry over into that last possession.”
Bryant continued his brilliant form with 30 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists and was ably supported by Pau Gasol (21 points and nine rebounds) and Derrick Fisher (22 points). Point guard Steve Nash led the way for the Suns with 29 points and 11 assists.
Nash said: “They held home court. We’ll go back and do the same. We’ll come back here for Game Seven.”
The two sides meet again in Phoenix on Saturday, with the Suns needing a win to stay alive. If they do win that they’ll head back to Los Angeles for Game Seven on Monday.
The winner of the series will be crowned Western Conference champions and advance to the NBA Finals which begin on June 3.
