Kobe Bryant scored 40 points as the National Basketball Association champion Lakers stormed past the Phoenix Suns 128-107 in Los Angeles in game One of the best of seven Western Conference final series.
The 11-times All-Star guard shot 13-of-23 from the field and poured in 21 points in the third quarter alone to help his team tighten their grip after Phoenix had made a fast start.
The Lakers were virtually unstoppable for the last three quarters as they won their seventh successive game in the playoffs.
Game two is in Los Angeles on Thursday.
