Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) – Kobe Bryant scored 21 points, and deferred to his teammates to the tune of a career playoff-high 13 assists, as the Lakers rolled once again over Phoenix, 124-112, in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals at Staples Center.
Pau Gasol was the benefactor of Bryant’s charity, scoring a game-high 29 points with nine rebounds and five assists. Ron Artest scored 18 points and Lamar Odom, after being called “lucky” by Suns forward Amare Stoudemire for his play in Game 1, notched a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
The Lakers won their 10th straight home playoff game and eighth straight postseason contest overall. Game 3 shifts to the Valley of the Sun on Sunday.
Jason Richardson scored 27 points and Grant Hill added 23 for the Suns, who were outscored 34-22 in the final period. Stoudemire scored 18 points with six rebounds and Steve Nash added 11 points and 15 assists in defeat.