Artest's miracle shot leads L.A. past Suns
LOS ANGELES — The Lakers' voluminous playoff lore is almost overstuffed with last-minute heroics. In the past decade alone, Robert Horry, Derek Fisher and — of course — Kobe Bryant have all hit dramatic, game-winning shots that will be remembered in Los Angeles for ages.
Ron Artest realizes he was an awfully unlikely candidate to join that list Thursday night in the final second of Game 5 of the Western Conference finals.
That's when the Lakers' only newcomer made everybody at Staples Center forget about his terrible game with an offensive rebound and a layup to beat the buzzer and the Phoenix Suns.
Artest banked home the winning shot after rebounding Bryant's missed 3-pointer, and the Lakers held off the Suns 103-101 to take a 3-2 series lead in the Western Conference finals.
Artest's basket completed a 2-for-9 shooting night redeemed by one supremely heady offensive rebound that pushed the Lakers to the brink of their third straight NBA finals.
"I wasn't playing my game from the beginning," Artest said. "In the second half, I was finding my way a little bit, made some good passes and good steals and got some rebounds. So I guess that aggressive play can carry over into that last possession."
Game 6 is Saturday night in Phoenix, where the Lakers can clinch the chance to play for their 16th championship — or the Suns can hold serve in a series featuring five wins for the home team.
Bryant had 30 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists for the Lakers. He also wrapped Artest, who scored just four points, in a jubilant bear hug after Artest homed in on Bryant's miss and threw up an unattractive shot.
It looked beautiful going through the net.
"It means a lot for him," Bryant said. "I think for him emotionally, it's a big boost. ... Once I released the ball, I saw Ron sneaking in. I was just hoping that he got it off in time."
Lakers coach Phil Jackson said he wasn't even sure why he had Artest in the game after the veteran forward missed consecutive open shots earlier in the final minute, drawing the ire of the home crowd with each brick.
"He has an uncanny knack of doing things, and sometimes it just works out," Jackson said. "He just has a knack for being around crucial plays."
