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It is hard to put a finger on, but it seemed like in this playoff series, San Antonio – no matter how hard they tried – could not find a solution to Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (then again, who can?).? Thursday night’s game between the Lakers and Spurs wouldn’t be any different.? While San Antonio’s Tim Duncan recorded a triple-double, it went to waste as Bryant scored 39 points, leading Los Angeles to the series-ending 100-92 win over San Antonio.? The victory sends?the Lakers?to the NBA Finals for the first time in 4 years.

San Antonio would get hot early in the second quarter as Michael Finley, Manu Ginobili and Brent Barry drained 3-pointers during a 15-1 run which gave them a 33-16 lead; the Lakers went nearly 7 1/2 minutes without a basket until Jordan Farmar scored 3 consecutive baskets, narrowing the gap to 11.? The Spurs held a 46-31 lead before Los Angeles went on an 11-2 run to end the first half, reducing the Spurs’ lead to 48-42.? San Antonio led by as many as 10 points early in the third quarter, but Los Angeles’ defensive pressure helped them in their 19-8 run which gave them a 61-60 lead.? The Lakers would go into the fourth quarter with a 64-63 lead.

A 3-pointer by Luke Walton and baskets by Farmar and Bryant gave the Lakers a 74-68 lead with 8 1/2 minutes remaining in the game; a bucket by Lamar Odom gave Los Angeles an 83-76 lead with 5:40 left to go.? However, a trey by Barry and a basket by Tony Parker brought San Antonio to within 2 points; Ginobili missed a 3-pointer that could’ve given the Spurs the lead before Bryant’s jumper with 3:33 left gave the Lakers an 85-81 lead.? A foul shot by Duncan drew the Spurs to within 2, but 2 more baskets by Bryant made ti 89-82; San Antonio would get no closer than 5 points the rest of the way – sealing the win for Los Angeles.

Los Angeles’ high scorer was the aforementioned Bryant with 39 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2?steals while Pau Gasol recorded a double-double, scoring 12 with 19 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocks.? San Antonio was led by Parker with 23 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal while Duncan recorded a triple-double, scoring 19 with 15 rebounds, 10 assists?and a block.? Los Angeles wins the series 4 games to 1 and will rest while awaiting the winner of the Boston-Detroit series; Game 1 of the NBA Finals will take place on Thursday, June 5 at either Boston or Detroit.

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