Player Bryant made a looping runner with seven-tenths of a second left in the fourth quarter to force overtime, and a 17-footer as time expired to lift the Lakers to an improbable 99-98 victory over the Suns. It appeared as the Suns had the game won late in the fourth quarter and again in overtime, but the Lakers took great advantage of Nash's mistakes.
Nash led the Suns with 22 points and 11 assists, but scored only six after halftime. Diaw had 21 points, eight rebounds & seven assists, Shawn Marion had 20 points and 12 rebounds before fouling out with 2:37 left in the 4th quarter, and Tim Thomas scored 12 points.
It was just impossible for the Suns to hold on in the fourth period and again in overtime. So Bryant did what everyone was waiting for, he shot 4-of-4 for eight points in the opening 7 1/2 minutes before picking up his second foul. For the moment, everything points for the NBA Larkers as it is just a matter of waiting to see what team will get to the finals.
