Western Conference Finals Game 5: Phoenix Suns 101, Los Angeles Lakers 103 (L.A leads series 3-2)

In a matter of 3 seconds, Ron Artest has redeemed himself in grand fashion with a tip-in in Game 5 of their Western Conference Finals showdown with the Phoenix Suns. Remember, this is a guy who has been criticized for missing loads of outside shots during the playoffs. Even Phil Jackson has said that Artest should stop taking so many shots. All of these complaints are going to the recycle bin for a short while as Artest gave the Lakers an important 3-2 edge in the seven-game series.

In the previous two Laker losses, I can honestly say the team really looked lost in attacking the zone that the Suns have used all series long. However, come Game 5, the Lakers moved the ball from side to side and looked for great scoring chances. Kobe Bryant almost had a triple-double with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists.

Looking at how the game unfolded, Kobe really had it going. Sure, he shot 12 for 27 but some of those misses were mostly going down and went out at the last moment. Even Derek Fisher had a great night. His shots were falling down and this led to 22 important points. Fisher and Kobe made sure that when the Suns hit them with hard hooks, they will counter hard enough with hooks of their own. It was a fantastic offensive battle with two teams slugging it out like there is no tomorrow.

The Suns bench has been playing huge all series long and after a slow first half, they lit it up yet again come second half. Channing Frye seems to be back in a groove albeit an airball was one of his missed attempts. Jared Dudley even helped big time with some shots. But I have got to say that the bench really was one of the reasons why the Suns lost.

First and foremost, the Suns’ pace when the bench was playing just slowed down drastically. The Suns execute better when they strike fast. With Dragic manning the point, it all slowed down (Vujacic did a great job but that will be discussed later) until it reached the point where the shots they hoisted were late. Second, Dragic really played poorly. I do consider him as the sparkplug of that bench and with him not performing efficiently, things will crumble down.

This is where Sasha Vujacic comes in. He did a phenomenal job in getting under Dragic’s skin. He literally annoyed the hell out of Dragic and things even got testy between the two Slovenians. Remember, this is a guy who has only played a minute and 50 seconds all series long and here he comes and plays a very crucial role in shaping the outcome of Game 5. He played fantastic defense and who knows, he might get more playing time in Game 6 after this performance.

Give the Suns credit though for coming back down from a huge 16-point deficit. Steve Nash played fantastic yet again and had 29 points and 11 assists. He basically hit tons of jumpers above Pau Gasol’s outstretched arms. He weaved through the Laker defense and made one amazing pass after another. With Nash on the floor, the shot selection for the Suns was much better. They were basically on a roll with him present. That three pointer by J-Rich also was huge. Three 50-50 balls and it went the Suns way and what they got was a lucky three pointer. The playoffs have surely been great in delivering some ‘drama.’

The zone still worked to some extent as the Lakers attempted 24 three pointers and only made 7. The problem was Pau Gasol got involved (please, make this guy the focal point in every half-court set) more in this one unlike in Game 4 where he was neutralized big time.

I still have got to say that the Lakers almost shot themselves in the foot with this game. Ron Artest did not care and shot a wide-open three with 22 seconds left on the shot clock in a game that only has 56 seconds left. I do not even know why Phil Jackson was confident with Pau Gasol defending Nash and we all know what happened to Tim Duncan in that Western Semifinal series. The Lakers have to avoid the temptation of hoisting up contested jumpers. They are much better than this. They have got to go back to playing more efficient offensive basketball. It will come eventually but hopefully it does not come too late for them.

Of course, that last play will be the topic of discussion and I think the Suns did a poor job in boxing out Artest. They did a great job in defending Kobe but that was really a poor job in terms of getting the rebound. Where was Robin Lopez or Amare Stoudemire for that last play? Come on Alvin Gentry! This is your team fighting for momentum in a series against the defending champs.  Why put Channing Frye in there? Sure he had ten boards coming into that play but come on, you have got to go with more established rebounders out there!

In the end, the Lakers got away with one. Artest has to step up still though. That was some great upper body strength in showcase there but we would not have had that play in the first place if Artest made some wise decisions. Still, great job by Artest for not giving it up. The Laker Nation are surely saying this now: In Ron, we trust.