Bryant shoots Spurs out of NBA finals
May 30, 2008
Kobe Bryant has scored 39 points to play a key role in eliminating the defending NBA champions, San Antonio Spurs.
The Spurs came out firing and had a comfortable 13 point lead after a 28-15 first quarter. Tim Duncan and Michael Finley combined to give the Spurs 15 points in the opening period.
The second quarter started with the Spurs further building their lead after a 15-1 run in the first 7 or so minutes. At this point they were up 33-16. Jordan Farmar finally got things going for the Lakers with 3 straight baskets to edge back into the match.
By the end of the first half the Lakers had worked their way back to 48-42. Kobe Bryant was now starting to have more of a say in the proceedings and ended the half with 13 points.
The Lakers have shown in other games that they can chase down a lead and they again proved that in this game. Youth and speed can help when up against an older team.
Apart from a lead in the opening minutes the Lakers did not get their noses in front until it was 61-60 with 1:11 left in the third quarter. The Lakers slowly pulled away however could not shake the Spurs. With 2:45 to go on the clock the score was 85-82 in favour of Los Angeles.
It was not until the last two minutes that the Lakers got the edge and went on to claim their spot in the NBA finals for the first time in 4 years.
The Lakers must now wait to see who they will face in the finals. Boston has the lead in the series over Detroit who play on Friday night in Detroit. If the Pistons win at home the series will be decided in Boston on Sunday.
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