Series Index:

Game 1: Lakers 105, Nuggets 103 at L.A.		Game recap & pictures
Game 2: Nuggets 106, Lakers 103 at L.A.		Game recap & pictures
Game 3: Lakers 103, Nuggets 97 at Denver		Game recap & pictures
Game 4: Nuggets 120, Lakers 101 at Denver		Game recap & pictures
Game 5: Lakers 103, Nuggets 94 at Los Angeles		Game recap & pictures
Game 6: Lakers 119, Nuggets 92 at Denver		Game recap & pictures

Picture Gallery (LAT)

May 25 - PEPSI CENTER - DENVER. With a great effort on the boards and big contribution from their bench, the Nuggets won 120-101 to tie the series 2-2. It was the most lopsided game of the Western Conference Finals so far but despite being dominated and showing signs of fatigue, the Lakers got what they needed from their trip to Denver which was recovering their home-court advantage.

With and impressive display of energy, the Nuggets outrebounded the Lakers 58-40 including 20-9 on the offensive rebounds category. Kenyon Martin grabbed 15 boards, Chris Andersen 14 and Nene 13. Denver's bench outscored L.A.'s 42-24 with 24 points from J.R. Smith and 10 from Linas Kleiza, and while they had their top scorer Carmelo Anthony on a bad night (he was suffering a stomach virus and sprained an ankle in the second quarter), it was no problem for them: all the other Nuggets starters scored in double digits, including 24 points by Chauncey Billups. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 34 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and Pau Gasol added 21, 10 and 4 but it wasn't enough to compensate poor performances by Odom (5 points) and Ariza (3 points).

The Quotes

Phil Jackson (LAL Coach): "What we’ve done is we’ve won a road game and brought the home-court advantage back to L.A.”

Kobe Bryant (Lakers): "They whooped us, period. They whooped us on the glass. They whooped us to loose balls."

Luke Walton (Lakers): "We got hammered from every direction tonight."

Chauncey Billups (Nuggets): "I’m sure the world wants to see Cleveland and the Lakers. You’ve got the best two players in the world, a chance to see them play in a seven-game series. I don’t want to see it. Man, I don’t want to see it. And I’m trying my best not to make that happen"

Carmelo Anthony (Nuggets): "Even before I twisted my ankle, with my stomach, I didn’t have my legs early in the game, I felt like I didn’t have any energy. Those IVs were a must. They helped a little bit. I’ll be OK for Wednesday."

Highlights