LOS ANGELES — Tim Thomas spent most of the regular season in a strange state of limbo.

Thomas has been a member of the Phoenix Suns for two months after spending most of the season at home. Without him, their season would probably be over.

Thomas made two huge 3-pointers, Boris Diaw and Shawn Marion each scored six points in overtime, and the Suns beat the Los Angeles Lakers 126-118 Thursday night to force a Game 7 in the first-round Western Conference playoff series.

Thomas signed with the Suns on March 3, two days after being waived by the Chicago Bulls, who acquired the 29-year-old forward from the New York Knicks last summer. Thomas played only three games with the Bulls. After complaining about his role, he was told to leave the team.

Thomas has been a perfect fit for the Suns, who have been playing without injured big men Amare Stoudemire and Kurt Thomas.

Kobe Bryant scored all but one of the Lakers' 13 points in overtime, and finished with a career-playoff high 50. But it was all for naught, and now, the much-anticipated Battle of L.A. is in jeopardy.

Game 7 will be played Saturday night in Phoenix, where the second-seeded Suns beat the Lakers 114-97 to send the series back to Los Angeles for Game 6. The home team has a 75-17 advantage in NBA playoff Game 7s.

"Our place is going to be crazy on Saturday," Thomas said.

"We know it's going to be a tough game at home," said Steve Nash, who led the Suns with 32 points and 13 assists. "We feel like we're better at home."

New Jersey advanced as Richard Jefferson scored 30 points and Vince Carter added 24 to offset the career-high 40 points of former Net Anthony Johnson. Jason Kidd had eight points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds for the Nets, who outrebounded Indiana 44-30.Jermaine O'Neal scored 21 points for the Pacers, who played without Peja Stojakovic.

Shaquille O'Neal had 30 points and 20 rebounds and Dwyane Wade added 23 points as Miami ended a couple of playoff streaks against Chicago. The Heat were 0-9 in postseason games in Chicago and had lost three previous playoff series against the Bulls.