Lakers win it at the line; 76ers stun Celtics to even series

By GREG BEACHAM AP LOS ANGELES — Kobe Bryant's perfection at the free-throw line was big for the desperate Lakers. His poise in the fourth quarter was even bigger, and it got Los Angeles back into its second-round series with Oklahoma City.

The Lakers beat the OKC Thunder by playing with a desperation that led to a whole bunch of needed free throws.

By Jack Carey, USA TODAY The obituaries for the Los Angeles Lakers can be put away, at least for now. The Lakers are alive in their Western Conference semifinal series with the Oklahoma City Thunder after a jaw-dropping free-throw performance Friday

By Mark Medina After the Lakers' 77-75 Game 2 loss Wednesday to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Kobe Bryant appeared frustrated over not taking the final shot. After Thursday's practice, Bryant instead praised Metta World Peace for passing to an open Steve

The Lakers squandered a seven-point lead in the final two minutes to lose a heart-breaker in Game Two, but this time they clawed back from a five-point deficit in the final three minutes. Bryant was a perfect 18 of 18 from the free throw line,