Artest beats buzzer, lifts Lakers past Suns

L.A. takes 3-2 lead in Western Conference finals with 103-101 win

Lucy Nicholson / Reuters

Lakers forward Ron Artest jumps into the arms of teammate Kobe Bryant after scoring the winning basket against the Phoenix Suns in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals on Thursday night.

 

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updated 49 minutes ago

LOS ANGELES - A path through the lane suddenly opened up before Ron Artest. Kobe Bryant’s missed 3-pointer dropped right into his hands, and Artest’s awkward layup banked neatly through the net as the buzzer sounded on Game 5 of the Western Conference finals. 

What a pretty finish to an ugly game for the Lakers’ veteran troublemaker, who has struggled to find his role throughout his first season with the defending champions — and what a strange, thrilling way for Artest to carve out his own spot in the Lakers’ playoff lore. 

Artest banked home the winning shot after grabbing the biggest offensive rebound of his career, nudging the Lakers past the Phoenix Suns 103-101 on Thursday night to take a 3-2 series lead. 

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