Kobe Bryant and his Los Angeles Lakers are in the NBA finals for the third straight season after he wrapped up a dominating Western Conference finals with a 37-point performance in a series-clinching 111-103 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night.

Ron Artest unexpectedly played the role of sidekick as he added 25 points as the Lakers held off a late Phoenix rally to win the series 4-2.

Bryant scored nine points in the final 2 minutes to ice the game, 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, who had guaranteed a Game 6 win after its heart-breaker in Game 5, added 21 points and nine assists in his 118th playoff game, the most for anyone who has never reached the finals.

Bryant, with his 10th 30-point performance in his last 11 postseason games, moved ahead of Jerry West and into a tie with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for second-most 30-point playoff games at 75. He has a ways to go for the record of 109 held by Michael Jordan.

He also extended his NBA record to eight straight 30-point closeout games on the road.

The Lakers will host the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the Finals on Thursday.

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