Dahntay Jones and Denver Nuggets decided to gang up on Kobe Bryant. But, they forgot one thing Kobe can do except scoring.
His passing.
A game after Jones deliberatly tripped Kobe Bryant, the runner-up MVP changed his stand, as he finished with 22 points and 8 assists to lead LA Lakers past Denver Nuggets 103-94 and seize a 3-2 series lead in their own Western Conference Finals. Bryant, who just attempted 13 shots, played a decoy role thus resulting to big games from Derek Fisher and Lamar Odom. Derek Fisher scored 12 points, his biggest output of the series and Odom added 19 points off the bench to typify their balance scoring.
"It was a big gamble for me coming in, but I want to change my approach and be more of a decoy." Bryant said. Another main key for Lakers victory is Pau Gasol, who just scored 6 points after the third quarter. Gasol scored 8 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter, and being aggressive when the game is on the line, resulting to Nene's 6 fouls and George Karl's sourgraping.
"I thought they got the benefit of the whistle. Every players in our locker room is frustrated. Nene has 6 fouls, 3 or 4 which doesn't exist." Karl said in frustration. A point which Karl is pointing out is Nene's stat line. He finished with a unusual 4 points and 8 rebounds while attempting just 3 shots for the entire game. Inside defense have been the key for this Game 5 for Lakers, wherein they also limited Kenyon Martin to 12 points and Chris Anderson to 2 points.
With Kobe's ability to pass to his open teammates, Nuggets were caught surprised after the superstar guard burned them with 40,32,41 and 36 points in their first four games. Not even Chauncey Billups can match Kobe's assist total as he was hounded with 5 fouls and finished with just 5 assists and 12 points.
Game 6 will be played on Denver. Can the Lakers finish off the Nuggets?
"We have to stay focused and poised and try to cut them up." Bryant said.
It's easier said than done. Hopefully, Kobe can lead this team to promise land, once again.
His passing.
A game after Jones deliberatly tripped Kobe Bryant, the runner-up MVP changed his stand, as he finished with 22 points and 8 assists to lead LA Lakers past Denver Nuggets 103-94 and seize a 3-2 series lead in their own Western Conference Finals. Bryant, who just attempted 13 shots, played a decoy role thus resulting to big games from Derek Fisher and Lamar Odom. Derek Fisher scored 12 points, his biggest output of the series and Odom added 19 points off the bench to typify their balance scoring.
"It was a big gamble for me coming in, but I want to change my approach and be more of a decoy." Bryant said. Another main key for Lakers victory is Pau Gasol, who just scored 6 points after the third quarter. Gasol scored 8 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter, and being aggressive when the game is on the line, resulting to Nene's 6 fouls and George Karl's sourgraping.
"I thought they got the benefit of the whistle. Every players in our locker room is frustrated. Nene has 6 fouls, 3 or 4 which doesn't exist." Karl said in frustration. A point which Karl is pointing out is Nene's stat line. He finished with a unusual 4 points and 8 rebounds while attempting just 3 shots for the entire game. Inside defense have been the key for this Game 5 for Lakers, wherein they also limited Kenyon Martin to 12 points and Chris Anderson to 2 points.
With Kobe's ability to pass to his open teammates, Nuggets were caught surprised after the superstar guard burned them with 40,32,41 and 36 points in their first four games. Not even Chauncey Billups can match Kobe's assist total as he was hounded with 5 fouls and finished with just 5 assists and 12 points.
Game 6 will be played on Denver. Can the Lakers finish off the Nuggets?
"We have to stay focused and poised and try to cut them up." Bryant said.
It's easier said than done. Hopefully, Kobe can lead this team to promise land, once again.
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