DENVER — Kobe Bryant scored 41 points and Trevor Ariza made another important steal to help the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Denver Nuggets 103-97 Saturday, giving the Lakers a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference finals.
For the second time in three games, Ariza stole an inbounds pass in the final minute.
Ariza, whose steal of Anthony Carter's lob sealed the Lakers' victory in the series opener, sliced in front of Carmelo Anthony to swipe Kenyon Martin's inbounds pass with the Lakers clinging to a two-point lead with 36 seconds left.
Anthony fouled out to prevent the breakaway basket and Ariza sank both free throws for a 99-95 lead.
"It was kind of funny," Ariza said of the Game 3 steal. "It was pretty much the same thing, different players. But we got the steal. We got a win, that's the most important thing."
Bryant made four free throws in the final 22 seconds to seal the victory after sinking a three-pointer over J.R. Smith with 1:09 left to put Los Angeles ahead for good at 96-95.
"Kobe does that time and time and time and time and time again for game winners," teammate Lamar Odom said of Bryant's three-pointer. "It is routine — for him."
Pau Gasol added 20 points and 11 rebounds.
"I think Gasol was the key to them winning tonight," Anthony said.
Anthony scored 21 points on 4-for-13 shooting. The Lakers outshot the Nuggets, 45.8 percent to 39.3 percent.
Note
• Bryant and his wife are suing their ex-housekeeper, Maria Jimenez, accusing her of violating her contract by talking to media about the family's private affairs.
Jimenez initially sued the Bryants, contending they harassed and humiliated her. The countersuit was filed Friday in Orange County Superior Court and alleges Jimenez broke a confidentiality agreement she signed.
No comments:
Post a Comment