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Lakers-Suns series reaches dramatic finale

Posted on: Friday, 5 May 2006, 21:11 CDT

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A gripping first-round playoff series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns will end in a remarkable comeback or giant upset in Saturday's Game Seven in Phoenix.

That is the scenario facing Lakers coach Phil Jackson after the Suns avoided elimination for the second consecutive game in Los Angeles on Thursday, winning 126-118 in overtime, to tie the series at 3-3.

"There is a lot at stake," Jackson told reporters after Steve Nash inspired the Suns with 32 points and 13 assists in Game Six at the Staples Center.

"For them it would be a terrific comeback. For us, it would be a monumental upset.

"But I think there's sometimes more pressure on the home team in Game Seven," added Jackson, who has guided teams to a record-equaling nine NBA Championships.

"Sometimes you can feel more relaxed on the road. We feel okay about this game. We've won over there before."

The inexperienced Lakers are bidding to become only the fifth team seeded seventh to dispatch the second seeds since the NBA's 16-team playoff format started in 1984.

For their part, the Suns are attempting to become only the eighth team in league history to rally from 3-1 down and clinch a best-of-seven series.

ROLLER-COASTER RIDE

Momentum appears to be with the Suns, but this series has been such a roller-coaster ride of emotion and late twists that fans on both sides are ready for just about anything.

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant was in brilliant form on Thursday, his tally of 50 points the fourth highest in his team's playoff history and 21 more than he had scored in any of the previous games in the series.

However, his stellar display could not prevent the Lakers from losing their first game in nine with home court advantage at the Staples Center.

The Suns, who initially succumbed to Jackson's 'Inside Man' strategy after they won the opening game in Phoenix, out-ran, out-shot and out-thought their opponents in Game Six.

"When your backs are against the wall, you can react two ways," Nash said. "Obviously, we have reacted positively.

"We know it's going to be a tough game at home, but we feel like we're better at home. Our team feels good with the opportunity to play for the series."

The Suns will be boosted by the return of Raja Bell, who sat out Thursday's encounter after being suspended for throwing Bryant to the floor in Game Five.

Bell, who has been guarding Bryant throughout the Western Conference series, provides the smaller and faster Suns with much-needed strength.

DIFFERENT PROBLEMS

Brazilian Leandro Barbosa, who posed different problems for the Lakers with his speed and contributed 22 points as Bell's replacement, will return to the bench on Saturday.

Although momentum and home court advantage suggest a Suns victory at the U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, the Lakers can take strength from statistics.

The Los Angeles team is yet to lose a series in franchise history when leading 3-1 while Jackson has never failed to reach the second round in 14 previous attempts as coach, nine times with the Chicago Bulls and five with the Lakers.

Then again, the Suns have triumphed in 16 of their last 19 games at home, and have an overall win-loss ratio of 75-17 in Game Sevens.

"The pressure is on both teams," said Suns coach Mike D'Antoni. "We feel good about ourselves but they will be ready and we'll be ready. It should be a great game."

Bryant, who averaged 42.5 points against the Suns in the regular season, added: "We're going into a hostile environment. We look forward to it. Let's get it on."

The winners of Game Seven will meet the Los Angeles Clippers in the second round.

Source: REUTERS

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