Huge 4th Propels Lakers Past Kings

Suns are hot early, Blazers flare up late and Phoenix wins 97-72
By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 5, 2008 4:14 AM CST
Huge 4th Propels Lakers Past Kings
Phoenix Suns' Amare Stoudemire (1) works against Portland Trail Blazers' LaMarcus Aldridge (12) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, March 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Greg Wahl-Stephens)   (Associated Press)

The Lakers were trailing by 13 points going into the fourth quarter against the Kings when Kobe turned it on and the Lakers cashed in for a 36-18 run. Half of Bryant's 34 points came in that surge, and the result was a 117-105 win that recalled the teams' rivalry of old, the Los Angeles Times reports. Meanwhile, in Portland:

The Suns started out strong against the Blazers, getting three-pointers from the bench and building up a 42-24 lead. "Now, can we extend that for 48 minutes?" wondered coach Mike D'Antoni as Portland made serious attempts at a comeback in the second half before a relieved Phoenix locked up a 97-92 win. (More NBA stories.)

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