LOS ANGELES, (Reuters) – Kobe Bryant delivered a sensational 40 points as the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers stormed past the Phoenix Suns 128-107 in Game One of the Western Conference final on Monday.
Seemingly unaffected by his ailing right knee that was drained of fluid last week, Bryant choreographed a stunning display by the Lakers as they made the most of their size advantage against the smaller but speedy Suns.
The All-Star guard, who shot 13-of-23 from the field, scored 21 points in the third quarter alone to help his team tighten their grip after Phoenix had made a fast start at the Staples Center.
Spanish forward Pau Gasol added 21 points and Ron Artest 14 while Lamar Odom, off the bench, weighed in with 19 points and a playoff career-high 19 rebounds for the top seeds. Forward Amar’e Stoudemire led the Suns with 23 points and guard Jason Richardson contributed 15. Watched by a capacity crowd of 19,000 that included actors Dustin Hoffman and Sylvester Stallone, the Lakers were virtually unstoppable for the last two quarters as they won their seventh successive game in the playoffs.
