Kobe rallies Lakers from 20 down to stun Spurs

Kobe Bryant exploded for 25 of his 27 points in the second half, and the Los Angeles Lakers erased a 20-point third- quarter deficit to stun the San Antonio Spurs, 89-85, in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.

The MVP strapped the Lakers to his back with his 14-point fourth quarter, and his pull-up jumper with 23.9 seconds left broke an 85-85 tie. Manu Ginobili missed a three at the other end, and Sasha Vujacic's free throws with 7.3 seconds left sealed the win for the well-rested Lakers, who improved to 6-0 at home in the postseason.

"That was a big comeback," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "They're a poised team and we were able to do some things to change the course of that game in the last two minutes."

Tim Duncan scored 30 points and grabbed 18 rebounds for the Spurs, who led 65-45 with less than six minutes left in the third quarter. San Antonio, perhaps feeling the exhaustion from a Game 7 win over the Hornets on Monday followed by a night spent in an airplane, couldn't seal the deal, though.

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