Lakers 89 - Spurs 85 * Kobe Bryant leads late rally in Game 1 victory over the Spurs

Just when things seems like they can't get much more exciting for Lakers fans, they do it again. San Antonio came out with a mission tonight, steal game 1 and gain control of the series. The NBA champions had the Lakers down 51-43 at the half and thought they had put the dagger in the Lakers when they went on a 14-2 run to start the third quarter, that made the score 65-45. That's right the Spurs were up by 20 points in the middle of the third quarter. Kobe Bryant had only two points in the first going 1-3 from the field. Thing then all of a sudden changed as the Lakers scored 14 unanswered points and were only down by 3 points! The Spurs however remained calm and let all of the experience that they have take over as they held a 72-65 lead at the half. In the fouth however the Spurs ages showed as they went 3-21 in the fourth and 1-9 on three point attempts. Th e Lakers meanwhile were becoming more alive as this game went on and on. The Lakers continued to chip away at San Atonio's lead and when Kobe Bryant made two consecutive shots with 8 minutes left in the fourth the Lakers were only down by 3. Staples Center was getting excited but then Chris Bowen hit a three pointer with about 7 1/2 left in the game. Bowen's three put the Spurs back up by 6 points but that was the last points that they would get in the next 6 1/2 minutes. The Lakers meanwhile scored 10 straight points and found themselves with a 4 point lead. The game was tied 85-85 with 41 seconds left. Bryant went to work by hitting a jumper, Ginobli then missed his shot and Vujacic hit two free throws with 7 seconds left in the game to seal the victory.

Kobe Bryant finished the game with 27 points after getting only 2 in the first half of the game. Pau Gasol had 19 points.

The Spurs two main stars had big games. Tim Duncan finished the night with 30 points and 18 rebounds and Parker had 18 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assist. Ginobli was a non - factor in this game as he only scored 10 points on 3-13 shooting.

The Spurs will try again in game 2. My prediction for this series is the Lakers in 6 games, maybe even 5 games if they steal game 3 or gave 4 in San Antonio.As Kobe got hotter and hotter as this game went on so did his teamates. Kobe led and the rest of the Lakers followed.