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Nuggets rout Lakers to tie Western Conference finals
Comments 0 | Recommend 0DENVER - An injured Carmelo Anthony wasn't anywhere near his best, while an energized Kobe Bryant and a relentless Pau Gasol again lit up the scoreboard.
It was a certain recipe for disaster for the Denver Nuggets, a major detour on the road to the NBA Finals, a sobering dose of reality in a city bleeding powder blue.
Kenyon Martin picked up the slack in the first half before Chauncey Billups and J.R. Smith took charge in the second Monday as the Nuggets topped the Lakers 120-101 at Pepsi Center to even their Western Conference finals series at two games apiece.
Game 5 is Wednesday in Los Angeles. Game 6 is Friday in Denver.
Martin contributed 13 points and 15 rebounds, including 11 points in the first half, when the Nuggets persevered through a slow start by Anthony, who missed his first 10 shots and sprained his right ankle.
Smith and Billups scored 24 apiece, helping Denver grab a 77-66 third-quarter lead and beat the Lakers at home in the playoffs for the first time in eight games.
The Lakers got what they needed from their two stars - Bryant had 34 points, and Gasol had 21 points and 10 rebounds. But the Lakers shot 41 percent, went 9-for-31 from 3-point range and missed 11 free throws. The Nuggets shot 44 percent.
After having his ankle taped at halftime, Anthony finished with 15 points on 3-of-16 shooting. It probably would have been too much for Denver to overcome if not for 14 points and 13 rebounds by Nene as well as 14 rebounds by Chris Andersen.
A 13-3 run to open the second - Linas Kleiza scored five points during the spurt, and Smith had four - propelled Denver to a 35-22 lead. The Lakers pulled within 52-45 at halftime, as Bryant scored 10 in the quarter, including five in the final 3 minutes.
The Nuggets led 22-19 after the first, despite an 0-for-8 start by Anthony and four missed free throws. Martin compensated with nine points and Nene grabbed six rebounds, both helping contain Bryant, who was scoreless until he chipped in six to end the quarter.
