The Suns erased an 18 point second half deficit as they tied it at 101 after Jason Richardson banked in a 3 pointer from the top of the key after a wild sequence. Pau Gasol missed a dunk with about 19 seconds left and Richardson grabbed the rebound. Steve Nash raced down court and missed a 3 point attempt, but was able to corral the long rebound. He found an open Richardson who missed as well. Somehow Channing Frye came down with the ensuing board and Richardson found himself open once again, and this time hit the tying shot with 3.5 seconds left on the clock.
Their jubilation would only last through the Lakers' timeout though.
Bryant played superbly, as he has the entire series, and led all scorers with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists. Nash led the Suns with his best game of the series and had 29 points and 11 assists.
Things are starting to get a bit chippy between the teams as Slovenian reserves Goran Dragic and Sasha Vujacic picked up double technicals midway through the fourth. This is playoff basketball!
The game winning basket could possibly be a HUGE lift for the often emotional Artest. Artest was brought in this past offseason to replace Trevor Ariza in what many saw as a considerable upgrade despite the breakout playoffs Ariza had in '09. It was a high risk, high reward move by the LA front office considering the Lakers were coming off of a Championship with the cheaper Ariza, and Artest is known for his well...antics. Such instances include his late boarding of the team bus in his underwear, his appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel Show in his underwear, and of course this.
If Artest can start playing to his actual talent level offensively and defensively, then the Lakers are without a doubt THE team to beat. As if they weren't already...
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