What it takes

Lakers played like champions in Game 6 win over Kings

LOS ANGELES -- Kings forward Chris Webber was going through his ticket requests before Friday night’s Game 6 of the Western Conference finals when a McDonald’s ad featuring Kobe Bryant suddenly appeared on the large screen TV in the locker room.

Webber appeared to ignore the commercial. But from his seat just a few feet away he had to have heard the final punchline, uttered by a little boy who has just recruited the Lakers superstar to play for his team: "Don’t blow it!"

Say what you want about the vulnerable Lakers, but Bryant and Co. didn’t blow it Friday night. They may be wobbling like a punch-drunk prize fighter trying to hang on to the belt, but they somehow found a way to hold off the Kings and keep alive their three-peat hopes. As a result, they now head to Sacramento for Sunday’s decisive Game 7, where the pressure will squarely be on the Kings.

"Our confidence hasn’t wavered," said Bryant, who had 31 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. "As far as [Game 7], it’s going to be fun. It’s a huge challenge, but we’re looking forward to it."

"We know what it takes," added center Shaquille O’Neal, who joined Bryant in leading the way by posting 41 points and 17 rebounds.

What it takes for the Lakers these days -- in addition to great games from their two lone superstars -- is help from the referees. Getting all the calls they didn’t get in earlier games, the Lakers enjoyed a parade to the foul line in the fourth quarter. In all the Lakers hit 21 of 27 free throws in the final frame, finishing 34-of-40 for the game.

"You have to foul me to stop me, period," said Shaq, who shook off his famous bricklaying from the line to finish 13-of-17, including a run of 10 straight.

First, Robert Horry hits a miracle shot in Game 4. Then Shaq starts hitting free throws like Reggie Miller. Next thing you know, Lil Bow Wow will replace Derek Fisher as starting point guard for L.A.

But while the Kings might be wondering what they have to do to win the series, the answer is simple: Make plays like the Lakers did in Game 6. Unlike Kings center Vlade Divac, who missed a key foul shot at the end of Game 4 to open the door for Horry’s heroics, Bryant stepped up to the line and sank four straight down the stretch for the Lakers on Friday night.

Bryant then made sure there was no repeat of Game 5, when Fisher got picked off by Webber on a key play, allowing Mike Bibby to hit a game-winning shot. This time, Bryant fought over a screen and helped force Bibby into a missed 3-pointer that could have tied the score. Never mind that Bibby was probably still in a daze from getting popped in the nose by Bryant moments earlier (no call), the Lakers did what they had to do.

"We carried out our end of the bargain," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said.

The Lakers got all the calls in Game 6, but they made the most of it and won the game. In previous games, the Kings got the benefit of the whistle and used it to full advantage. The officiating should be more even-handed in Game 7, meaning the outcome will likely come down to how well Webber’s Kings can handle the pressure of being the favorite against a desperate champion.

The message for Webber & Co. is simple: "Don’t blow it!"

Marty Burns covers pro basketball for CNNSI.com. Click here to send Marty a question or comment.

 

Related information

Stories

Shaq scores 41, Lakers extend Kings to Game 7 Fourth-quarter free throws help LA survive Game 6

Multimedia

Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video