Scott Delaney
Wednesday's winner ...
100 Dime Lakers - Watching Game 1 of this series, it’s become clear that questions surrounding Kobe Bryant's health and the Lakers' bench were put to rest as the defending champs pummeled the Suns 128-107 Monday night.
Bryant, who's dealt with a bum ankle, a broken finger and a swollen knee this postseason, scored 21 of his 40 points in the third quarter amid chants of "M-V-P!" inside the Staples Center, as he led the Lakers to a 1-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals. The Black Mamba has hit 52.2 percent of his shots during this span.
Bryant's performance marked the first time he's scored 30 or more points in six straight playoff games, and it’s also clear the Lakers used the time off after their Western Conference semifinal series with Utah to rejuvenate themselves for the conference finals.
Just look at the supporting cast …
While Andrew Bynum struggled to finish with four points and four boards, Lamar Odom provided a huge boost off the bench, scoring 19 points and grabbing 19 boards, a playoff career-high. Odom stepped up and scored seven straight during an 18-4 Lakers-run in the first quarter.
Pau Gasol added 21 points, four rebounds and two blocks in his 37 minutes on the court. Gasol went 10-for-13 from the floor. Shannon Brown had nine points.
I don’t see much changing for Game 2, as the Lakers will be geared up to duplicate their feat, and open up a 2-0 lead, not to mention monopolizing all the momentum with the series heading to Phoenix.
Lay the chalk with Los Angeles.