Redemption was so sweet for Ron Artest.

The off-season acquisition has experienced many peaks and valleys throughout the season.  And tonight’s events unfolded in a manner consistent with Artest’s Los Angeles tenure.

Steve Nash did all that he could to give the Suns a chance in Game 5.

Artest took an ill-advised, quick shot – when he could have took ample time off of the game clock – when the Lakers were attempting to hold onto a three-point advantage.  But the defensively-skilled forward grabbed the offensive rebound from a badly-missed field goal attempt from Kobe Bryant, and used his upper-body strength to muscle it into the basket giving L.A. a 103-101 victory. 

The Lakers, who at one time in the game led by 18 points, saw the Suns chip away at their lead throughout the fourth quarter.  But it was Los Angeles who held on for a  win in Game 5.

Tonight’s game was full of top-notch, star-level performances.  Kobe Bryant filled the stat sheet with 30 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists.  Steve Nash led Phoenix with 29 points and 11 assists.

With different Lakers (Bryant, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom) making contributions late in the fourth quarter, it was Nash who was keeping the Suns afloat down the stretch.  On a few occasions where the Lakers switched on pick-and-rolls, Nash went one-on-one against Gasol with great success.  He was able to stick a few pull-up jumpers and dropped off an assist to Amar’e Stoudamire in the key late possessions.

In the process, Ron Artest took a long jumper with a minute left in regulation and missed.  The rebound was long and came right back to him.  But instead of using the opportunity to burn some time off of the clock (there were 56 seconds left in the game and 22 seconds left on the shot clock), Artest – who said he was ‘going for the back-breaker’ – launched a trey that was off the mark. 

The misses set up a Phoenix possession which saw them attempt three triples.  Steve Nash clanked a quick pull-up three; Jason Richardson bricked a wide-open three; and then, finally, J-Rich smashed a three off of the backboard that went in to tie the contest at 101 with 3.5 seconds remaining in regulation.

Of course, it was Kobe time.  On the subsequent inbound play, Bryant received the ball deep on the wing and shot a fade-away triple with two defenders in his face.  Kobe’s shot was horribly short, but Artest didn’t assume that the shot was going to go down.

Ron Artest always gives his best effort on both ends of the floor.

Artest then made the play that, perhaps, saved his face tonight.

The Lakers were able to get a couple of big contributions which made a huge impact on their ability to win tonight.  Derek Fisher scored 22 points, and made many clutch shots late in the fourth.  Lamar Odom was alive and active once again at Staples, putting up 17 points, 13 assists and 4 assists.

Give the Suns big-time credit for not throwing in the towel tonight.  They had seven players score in double figures.  Stoudamire had 19, and Channing Frye had a brilliant performance with 14 points (3 treys) and 10 boards off the bench.

Phoenix’s performance should have them encouraged for Game 6.  But Alvin Gentry better make sure that the Suns don’t rest on what they did tonight, and go home to Phoenix expecting to win.  Phoenix knows that L.A. is not a team to be taken lightly away from home.

Expect another tough battle on Saturday night.

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