FIBA Basketball

    USA – Lakers back in finals

    PHOENIX (NBA) - Ron Artest came up big again and so did Team USA's Kobe Bryant as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Phoenix Suns in Game 6 to reach the NBA finals for the third straight year. Artest, who had a put-back at the buzzer to win Game 5 in LA, poured in 17 of his 25 points in the first quarter and Kobe Bryant had 37 as the Lakers won 111-103 on ...

    PHOENIX (NBA) - Ron Artest came up big again and so did Team USA's Kobe Bryant as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Phoenix Suns in Game 6 to reach the NBA finals for the third straight year.

    Artest, who had a put-back at the buzzer to win Game 5 in LA, poured in 17 of his 25 points in the first quarter and Kobe Bryant had 37 as the Lakers won 111-103 on Saturday night to clinch a 4-2 series victory.

    They will now face Boston for the title.

    The Celtics, who also won the Eastern Conference finals over Orlando, 4-2, beat the Lakers in the finals two years ago.

    Last year, LA beat the Orlando Magic to lift the title.

    FIBA