Andrew Bynum made three successive free throws for the NBA champion Lakers (4-1) in the extra session, including one that broke a 102-102 tie with 24 seconds remaining. “We have experience in winning games and toughing it out,” Los Angeles forward Lamar Odom told reporters. “Kobe did a great job of taking over the game offensively and Bynum dominated the game with his rebounding.”
Bynum finished with 17 points and 17 rebounds while the Rockets had six players in double figures, Carl Landry leading the home team with 20.
Former Rockets’ forward Ron Artest scored a three-pointer that put the Lakers up 92-89 with 30 seconds remaining before Houston’s Trevor Ariza, who helped the Lakers to last season’s NBA title, answered with his own three-pointer to force overtime. “It was poetic justice that both (players) had a chance to make big shots,” said Lakers coach Phil Jackson. “I thought we had the game in hand (with Artest’s shot). It was a great game.” Bryant, the MVP of last season’s NBA Finals, made 15-of-30 shots from the field in his 98th career 40-point effort. The Lakers trailed by seven early in the fourth before Bryant made 10 points in a row for his team. In overtime he twice put the Lakers ahead with jump shots and tallied six points in the extra session. Houston’s (3-2) Ariza had 15 points and nine rebounds while Chuck Hayes had 14 points and 14 rebounds. Luis Scola finished with 16 and 13.
