Kobe Bryant scored nine points in the final 2 minutes, which included a 23-footer with Grant Hill in his face and 34 seconds to play. This basket put Los Angeles up 107-100 and everyone knew the Suns were finished.
“Those aren’t shooters shots, they’re scorers shots,” Phoenix’s Steve Nash said. “Those are best-player-in-the-game type shots.”
With this win Kobe Bryant and his Los Angeles Lakers made it in the NBA finals for the third straight season.
[pullquoteright]“Kobe’s so good, ” teammate Lamar Odom said, “he makes incredible normal for us.”[/pullquoteright]
The Lakers wrapped up an exciting Western Conference finals a series-clinching 111-103 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night.
“Kobe’s so good, ” teammate Lamar Odom said, “he makes incredible normal for us.”
This was Kobe’s 10th 30-point performance in his last 11 postseason games. He moved ahead of Jerry West and into a tie with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for second-most 30-point playoff games at 75.
Kobe also extended his NBA record to eight straight 30-point closeout games on the road.
Lakers coach Phil Jackson will be in search of his 11th NBA championship, fifth with the Lakers.
“Kobe was the man tonight,” he said.
