Lakers end Suns’ chase for Finals

Associated Press

PHOENIX

Get ready, Boston. Kobe Bryant and his Los Angeles Lakers want a rematch.

Bryant wrapped up a magnificent series with 37 points, Ron Artest added 25 and the Lakers held off the Phoenix Suns 111-103 on Saturday night to win the Western Conference finals 4-2.

The Lakers and Celtics, the NBA’s premier teams for much of the league’s history, will meet in the finals for the 11th time with Game 1 Thursday night in Los Angeles.

Bryant scored nine points in the final 2 minutes, including what looked like an impossible 23-footer with Grant Hill in his face and 34 seconds to play. The basket put Los Angeles up 107-100 and the scrappy Suns were finished.

Amare Stoudemire, in what may have been his last game with the Suns, scored 27 points but struggled to a 7-of-20 shooting night. Steve Nash had 21 points and nine assists in his 118th playoff game, the most for anyone who has never reached the finals.

LeBron sighting

CLEVELAND

Fresh from a postseason vacation, LeBron James was back among Cleveland fans for the first time since the Cavaliers’ playoff flop.

The reunion was somewhat awkward.

James, whose impending free agency could change the course for several NBA franchises, was a guest judge at an amateur dunk contest that drew a large crowd because of the two-time MVP’s appearance, his first public outing since the Cavs lost in the second round to the Boston Celtics.

Wearing a blue “Witness” T-shirt and designer sunglasses, James had little interaction with fans, some of whom pleaded with him to re-sign with the Cavaliers. James did not speak with the media and offered no hints about his future.