HoopsVibe

"Even on a balky knee, Kobe Bryant had no problem giving the Los Angeles Lakers an early leg up in the Western Conference finals.

Bryant scored 40 points, Lamar Odom added 19 points and 19 rebounds, and the Lakers opened the series with ruthless offensive efficiency in a 128-107 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Monday night.

Pau Gasol had 21 points for the top-seeded Lakers, who won their seventh straight playoff game and snapped the Suns' six-game streak with a phenomenal second half highlighted by Bryant's 21-point third quarter.

The defending NBA champions beat the third-seeded Suns at their own uptempo game when necessary, fluidly running the court to set up baskets for Bryant in his sixth straight 30-point game. Bryant then rested his sore knee for most of the fourth quarter in the 11th 40-point game of his playoff career."

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HoopsVibe’s Call: The headlines, news stories, and highlights will give most of the credit to Kobe Bryant, who tallied 40 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in the L.A. Lakers’ game one win over the Phoenix Suns.

Fair enough. Bryant, however, wasn’t the difference maker. Lamar Odom’s length was.

The ultra versatile forward dropped an impressive 19 points and 19 rebounds, using his lanky frame to give the Phoenix Suns fits.
 
For instance, during one sequence in the second half, Mr. Khloe Kardashian grabbed two impressive offensive rebounds before drawing a goaltending charge against Amar’e Stoudemire.

Odom’s fine play propelled the purple-and-gold to the NBA championship last season. And the Lakers are a different team when their chubby cheeked reality star brings his A-game.

How important was Odom to the Lakers winning game one against the Suns ? Get at HoopsVibe News with thoughts in the comment box below.