Lakers Take Game 3, Lead 2-1 over Nuggets

All the talk about how the Denver Nuggets could have been up 2-0 heading into Game 3 is now quiet. On Saturday night, the Los Angeles Lakers reclaimed their spot in the driver’s seat by going into Denver and coming out with a 103-97 victory.

Kobe Bryant on his way to the Finals? (Image: Newscom)

Down by eight points entering the fourth quarter, the Lakers played championship level basketball down the stretch to get the win. Kobe Bryant hit a number of big shots, Pau Gasol was a beat on the low block and Trevor Ariza got another late game steal. For the Nuggets, they limped to the finish line — committing dumb fouls and making mental mistakes along the way.

Kobe Bryant led the way for Los Angeles with 41 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals. He hit 12-of-24 shots from the field, 2-for-5 from beyond the three-point line and 15-for-17 at the line. Pau Gasol had 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Trevor Ariza scored 16 points, pulled down four rebounds and swiped two steals.

For the Nuggets, Carmelo Anthony led the way with 21 points — but only three of those points came in the second half. Chauncey Billups had 18 points, seven assists and six rebounds but missed ten of his 15 shots from the field.

Game 4 will be played on Monday. If the Lakers take that contest, the series will be all but over.