Western Conference Finals: Los Angeles Lakers in Control

Kobe Bryant scored 28 points (without a taken free throw) and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Lakers past the Spurs 93-91 last night. The road win ended the Spurs 13-game home winning streak.

The Lakers came out and got into a good offensive rhythm early, making five of their first seven shots. The Lakers went on an 18-4 run, led 22-8, and never looked back.

The Lakers played with more energy on both ends of the court—they were quicker to grab loose balls and they out-rebounded the Spurs. The Spurs fought back, made a run to cut into the Lakers' lead and closed the quarter strong 28-23.   

Spurs' Brent Barry had a tremendous game and finished with 23 points. Although the Lakers outplayed the Spurs, they couldn’t pull away from them. The Lakers bench gave them a lot of energy tonight, but thanks to Brent Barry, they were outscored by the Spurs bench.

Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher were both in foul trouble, picking up three each early in the game. The Spurs made a living on the free throw line and this kept them in the game. Even though the Spurs tied the score three times in the first half, the Lakers led at the half 53-47.

The Lakers outscored the Spurs in three of the games' four quarters. In the third quarter, the Spurs tied the score twice. Tied at 67-all, the Lakers went on an 8-3 run capped by a rare four-point play by Sasha Vujacic to finish the quarter leading 77-70.

The teams traded baskets to start the final quarter prior to the Lakers going on a 7-0 run capped by a steal, and a Kobe Bryant break away dunk to push the lead to 88-79. Lamar Odom, who had a bounce back game, scored two of his 16 points, from the free throw line. He shot eight-out-of-nine from the line for the entire game, placing the Lakers in what appeared to be control of the game.

Then, things got really interesting.

The Lakers then had an episode of bad clock management. Leading 91-86 with less than a minute to go, Kobe Bryant missed an off-balance nine-foot jumper. Lamar Odom was fouled by Brent Barry and knocked down both free throws for 93-86. Oberto fouled Pau Gasol, who misses both free throws.

Tim Duncan grabbed a rebound and got the ball to the front court, where Tony Parker passed it to Manu Ginobli, who nailed a 24-foot three pointer for 93-89 at the 42 second mark. Kobe Bryant missed a lay-up with 33 seconds to go and Tim Duncan grabbed a defensive rebound. Next, Tony Parker scored on a lay-up via a Tim Duncan assist for 93-91 and 28 seconds left.

Derek Fisher missed a 17-foot jumper, and Bryant missed a 16-foot jumper to give the Spurs one last chance to steal the game. The ball was thrown to Brent Barry, who missed the last second 27-foot jumper. Game over!

The Lakers played through the hostile crowd and the foul trouble by using their speed to get the lead and force the Spurs to play uphill all game. Furthermore, the Lakers' defense was outstanding the entire game, holding the Spurs down to 40-percent shooting from the field and 29-percent from 3-point range.

The Lakers take the series' 3-1 lead back to Los Angeles, where they will have a chance to end the Spurs' run as champions and the series on Thursday night at 6:00pm PST.