However for the purple and gold of the Lakers Jerseys, they fell brief to the Boston Celtics of the NBA’s Jap Conference.
The playoffs started out with the #1 seed in the Western Convention as the Lakers concluded with a 57-25 document. Their very first match in the playoffs was in the kind of Allen Iverson, Carmello Anthony and the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers experienced their way with the Nuggets, successful 4 straight game titles- the 1st two in Los Angeles, the future two in Denver. Recreation one particular went 128-114 to the Lakers, as Pau Gasol scored 36 points for the Lakers, and Kobe Bryant extra 32. Online games two and a few have been even a lot more of a blowout as the Lakers won activity two in Los Angeles- 122-107 and match a few in Denver 102-84. The Nuggets video game 4 a very good operate, but fell brief 107-101 in a sport in which Kobe poured in 31 more, and Gasol 21. The Lakers were ready to go on to round two.
Spherical two began very well as the Lakers took on the Utah Jazz. In the to start with two online games in Los Angeles the Lakers had been effortless winners 109-98 and 120-110. Kobe poured in 38 and 34, helped by Gasol’s 18 and 20. The Jazz have been led in scoring by up and coming star DeRon Williams, who did all he could scoring 25 and 14, but also extra 10 and 9 assists in the first two online games. The collection would shift to Utah. In Utah, the collection rapidly became very competitive. In activity a few, the Lakers dropped their first playoff game of the year, ending a 6 match playoff-winning streak. Recreation 3 went to Utah 104-99, as Carlos Boozer scored 27 details and grabbed 20 rebounds. Boozer, Okur and Williams had been not to be denied on this evening. Game four ended in one more Jazz get, this time in additional time, coming absent with a 123-115 win. Bryant scored 33 details on 33 photographs. Lamar Odom helped the Lakers out with 26 details and 13 rebounds, but those were being not more than enough, as the Jazz had six players in double figures, to direct them to a get, and a 2-2 series tie. The sequence then went back again to the Staples Middle, wherever the Lakers held on, courtesy of a 30-24 fourth quarter to acquire the recreation 111-104 and choose a 3-2 series lead. This time it was the Lakers with five men in double figures, led by Kobe’s 26, and Odom’s 22, the Lakers have been now just one win from shifting on. In game six, the Lakers would have to head back again to Salt Lake Town wherever the Jazz were 4-1 in the postseason coming in. This night belonged to the Lakers. Just after a 33-20 1st quarter, and a 62-43 halftime direct, the Lakers held on, even with a 35-22 fourth quarter run from the Jazz to acquire 108-105 and shift on to the Western Meeting Finals.
In the Conference Finals, the Lakers after once more experienced the property courtroom advantage, this time to the defending NBA winner- San Antonio Spurs. This series was not really all that close as the Lakers produced brief get the job done of the Spurs successful in 5 game titles. Activity one started properly for the Spurs, as at halftime they held an 8 position guide, but ended up not able to maintain on, as the Lakers outscored them 24-13 in the fourth quarter to occur away with a 89-85 gain. Kobe Bryant matched the Spurs Tim Duncan position for point and the Lakers protection did a excellent occupation of restricted sharp shooter Mano Ginobli to only 10 factors. Video game two, the Spurs experienced no chance. Winning all four quarters, the Lakers blew out the Spurs 101-71. With five fellas in double figures the Lakers the moment again utilized their depth to acquire a 2- direct in the collection and stay unbeaten at home during the postseason. In a must gain sport 3 in San Antonio, the Spurs were being capable to knock off the Lakers, this time winning 103-84. Kobe’s 30 was not plenty of as Ginobli scored 30 as nicely, and Tim Duncan extra 22 and Tony Parker poured in 20. The Spurs appeared to continue to be in the series. In game 4 the Lakers were a two-level winner, and sport 5 the Lakers used a 36-29 fourth quarter edge to get the recreation and the sequence. Kobe Bryant was when once again the star in game 5 as he scored 39 details, whilst Pau Gasol extra 19 rebounds. The Lakers ended up at the time yet again back again in the NBA Finals!