Lakers guard Kobe Bryant applies the defense against Cleveland’s LeBron James in a matchup of the NBA’s two best perimeter players. (Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers’ Brian Cook battles Cleveland’s Zydrunas Ilgauskas for a rebound. (Christine Cotter / LAT)
Lakers’ Smush Parker scores in front of Cleveland’s LeBron James. (Christine Cotter / LAT)
Lakers’ Kobe Bryant drives past Cleveland’s Ira Newble during the 1st half. (Christine Cotter / LAT)
GETTING GRABBY: Drew Gooden, left, and Eric Snow try to get the basketball away from Lakers Lamar Odom in second quarter. (Christine Cotter / LAT)
CLASSY MATCHUP: Kobe Bryant, left, scored 27 points and made the winning basket with 8.6 seconds to play; LeBron James, right, scored 28 but missed a potential game-winner as time expired. (Christine Cotter / LAT)
