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Bryant's Star Power Rallies Lakers Past Methodical Spurs in Series Opener: Lakers 89, Spurs 85

LOS ANGELES, May 21 -- There is nothing Hollywood about the San Antonio Spurs, aside from Tony Parker's marriage to a television actress. From their bland black uniforms, spotlight-shunning superstar power forward, aging roster and unassuming coach, the Spurs are the antithesis of their glitzy opponent in the Western Conference finals. The Los Angeles Lakers shimmer in shiny gold uniforms and possess the most exciting player in the game, a Hall of Fame coach and a celebrity clientele.

The contrast was obvious before Game 1 on Wednesday night, when Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich was asked about the "American Idol" season finale across the street at the Nokia Center. "What is that?" he said. "Is that where they dance with each other?"

The contrast became more apparent on the floor, as Parker, Tim Duncan and the defending champion Spurs used their methodical, no-frills style to build a 20-point lead halfway through the third quarter. But Kobe Bryant rallied his team to a movie-script-worthy ending and an 89-85 victory at Staples Center.

"We were deep in a hole, no doubt about it," Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said. "That was a big comeback."

Bryant, the league's most valuable player, scored 23 of his team-high 27 points in the final 18 minutes, including the decisive jumper over Spurs defensive ace Bruce Bowen that broke a tie at 85 with 23 seconds remaining.

Duncan scored a game-high 30 points with 18 rebounds and Parker had 18 points and 10 assists. But the Lakers held the Spurs to just one field goal over the final 7 minutes 36 seconds, and Manu Ginóbili (10 points) missed a potential game-winning three-pointer with nine seconds remaining. Lakers reserve Sasha Vujacic emerged from a mad scramble with the ball and secured the win with two free throws. The Lakers lead this best-of-seven series 1-0 and Game 2 is Friday.

"Obviously a difficult loss," Popovich said. "We had a great opportunity. We didn't take advantage of it. Hurts like hell."

The Spurs led 65-45 when Duncan hit a jump hook with 5:54 left in the third period. With his team sliding and the crowd growing more quiet, Bryant finally started looking for his shot and scored seven points during a 14-0 run that brought the Lakers within six points. Bryant capped the rally when he tossed a lob for Pau Gasol. Gasol (19 points) batted it through the hoop after a few bounces on the rim.

"We got to pick up the energy, we got to get something going," Bryant said. "That was my thinking. I know I can make that push and I knew once I did, I could get the game back under control."

The Lakers tied the game at 81 when Odom spun toward the basket and laid in a finger roll with 3:18 remaining. Bryant gave the Lakers their first lead of the game with two free throws shortly thereafter, then added another 16-foot jumper to expand the lead to 85-81. The Spurs came back to tie the game when Duncan missed a short jump shot, Odom and Bryant battled for a rebound and inadvertently tipped the ball through the hoop.

Odom (eight points, eight rebounds) said he expects the Spurs to "bounce right back. That's a championship team."

When someone told Odom that it is unusual for a championship team to blow a 20-point third-quarter lead, Odom shrugged. "Usually that doesn't happen," Odom said. "But this was an unusual game."

These teams, which have combined to win seven of the past nine NBA championships, are meeting in the postseason for the sixth time since 1999. The Lakers won three of the previous five series, including the last meeting in the conference semifinals four years ago.

After closing out the Hornets on the road in Game 7, the Spurs were grounded in New Orleans for almost seven hours because of a mechanical problem on their charter plane. They arrived on Tuesday morning at 6:30 a.m., giving them little rest and little time to prepare for the Lakers.

The Spurs, who were held to just 13 points in the final period, weren't going to use fatigue as an excuse. "It doesn't matter what you want to define it as," Duncan said. "Whether we ran out of gas, we didn't hit shots, whatever it may be. Bottom line, they were better than us in the fourth quarter."

Bryant was unusually passive in the first half. He took the first shot of the game -- a bank shot that rolled off the rim -- but seemed to be more focused on setting up his teammates. He had five assists in the first half, and just three shot attempts. He didn't score until 1:29 left in the first quarter, his driving layup bringing the Lakers within 49-41. The Lakers trailed 51-43 at the break.

"Kobe, he was doing his trust-his-teammates thing in the first half," Popovich said. "In the second half, he went to work."

Said Bryant: "I was trying to manage the game. I can get off at any time."