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(AP) --  Pau Gasol scored 14 of his 29 points in the
fourth quarter, Kobe Bryant had 21 points and 13 assists, and the
Los Angeles Lakers roared away in the final minutes for a 124-112
victory over the Phoenix Suns on to claim a 2-0
lead in the Western Conference finals.

 Ron Artest scored 18 points for the Lakers, who won their eighth
straight playoff game and moved halfway to a tantalizing NBA finals
showdown with the Boston Celtics, who lead Orlando 2-0 in the East.

 The Lakers remained unbeaten at home in the postseason despite a
much-improved effort from the Suns, who lost the opener by 21
points.

 Phoenix tied it heading to the final period of Game 2, but Gasol
and Bryant flawlessly led the Lakers to another high-scoring
victory.

 Game 3 is Sunday night in Phoenix.

(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)