Lakers Rally to Top Nuggets in Game 1
May 20, 2009 by Stephen Kersey
Filed under Basketball
Trailing by as many as 13 points, it looked like nothing was going right for the Los Angeles Lakers. But using a late rally against the Denver Nuggets, the Lakers were able to win Game 1 of the 2009 Western Conference Finals.
The Lakers got the lead for the first time in the fourth quarter when Derek Fisher nailed a three-pointer with two and a half minutes remaining in the game. Los Angeles held on for the win as Kobe Bryant hit six consecutive free throws down to close out Denver’s hopes.
For the game, Bryant finished with 40 points, six rebounds and four assists, while shooting 13-of-28 from the field, 2-of-3 on three-pointers and 12-of-13 at the line. Fisher and Gasol both chipped in with 13 points.
The Nuggets were led by Carmelo Anthony who had 39 points after scoring 30 points in the first three quarters. Anthony also had six rebounds and four assists, while hitting 14-of-20 field goal attempts, 4-of-5 three-pointers, and 7-of-8 free throws. Chauncey Billups chipped in with eight assists and five rebounds.
Game 2 will be played on Thursday at 9 PM EST in Los Angeles.
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers (Image: Newscom)
