Life's a comedy. 人生如戏.

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers GAME 5

(29 May 2010/12:33 AM)

Western Conference Finals

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers - GAME 5

Needless to say, video above is the game recap of PHX vs. LAL of game 5.

Ron Artest seemingly didn't know how to celebrate.

With his arms half raised for a second, Artest looked around shocked. Then as he turned, Artest saw Kobe Bryant and wrapped his arms around him as the two began jumping up and down in jubilation.

Following a short 3-point attempt by Bryant, Artest outmuscled Jason Richardson to the rebound and wound up banking in the putback at the buzzer as the Lakers took a thrilling 103-101 victory over the Suns in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals Thursday at Staples Center.

The Lakers get ready for a crucial Game 5 at home against the Suns.

Kobe Bryant, had 30 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists, gets the step on Grant Hill on his way to the basket in this picture.

"Defensively," Bryant said. "We were terrific."

Bryant had himself a big game after getting picking up two fouls in the first two minutes and 35 seconds.

In the second period, Bryant had 13 point and drained three consecutive 3-pointers. That onslaught was part of a 13-0 run, lifting the Lakers to a 41-25 lead with 6:14 left in the second period.

Fisher had a huge game as well, picking up the slack with Bryant in foul trouble. He scored 11 points in the first quarter and helped the Lakers grab a 24-21 lead at the end of the first quarter despite trailing by as many as seven points.

Derek Fisher ended with a score of 22 points, 1 rebound and four assists.

Andrew Bynum, taking Amar'e Stoudemire in the post in this picture, scored 2 points & 7 rebounds which includes 5 offensive ones.

To build a lead that swelled to as many as 18 in the third quarter, the Lakers had to make adjustments.

After succumbing to the Suns' zone in Phoenix, it seemed the Lakers figured it out.

They penetrated inside and worked inside and out. That helped them go on a 16-5 run in the third quarter.

Gasol, who had 21, and Odom (17 points and 13 rebounds) were the beneficiaries, flashing and scoring in the paint time after time.

Ron Artest celebrates his game-winning buzzer beater with Kobe Bryant. The Lakers went up 3-2 in the series with a 103-101 win over Phoenix.

An otherwise forgettable stat line for Artest -- four points, five rebounds and three steals -- now has the defending champions in prime position to return to the NBA Finals as Los Angeles took a 3-2 series lead and can close out the series Saturday in Phoenix.

In the loss :

Amar'e Stoudemire, getting his game face ready against the Lakers in this picture, had 19 points and four rebounds.

After the game, the Suns tried to stomach the defeat.

"We got to swallow this one," said Amar'e Stoudemire.

Steve Nash, hitting a teammate with a sweet no-look pass in this picture, had 29 points, 11 assists & three rebounds which includes two offensive ones.

After the game, Nash made it clear that his team won't have a letdown in a possible closeout game Saturday.

"They held home court," Nash said.

"We'll go back and do the same. We'll come back here for Game 7."

Top 4 end-game statistics of Suns & Lakers in game 5 below.

Labels: NBA 2010 WESTERN FINALS PHX vs LAL

Yet another entry by WEN SHENG.