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Nugs nail L.A., 120-101Daniel Williams, DDN Staff WriterTuesday, May 26, 2009 |  | | Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony, right, keeps the ball away from an outstretched Kobe Bryant, left, of the L.A. Lakers at the Pepsi Center yesterday. Photo by Hector Acevedo. |
It was either tie the series up at 2-2 and take over the momentum in the series or go down 3-1, essentially ending their season.
The Denver Nuggets chose to extend their season with their 120-101 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals yesterday at the Pepsi Center.
Denver came out with extreme effort in the first quarter and got off to a quick start and early lead, which they sustained the entire night.
Denver’s first half defense limited the Lakers — with the exception of Kobe Bryant — from ever getting in a grove offensively.
Bryant, however, had 19 first-half points and looked to be on his way to another huge scoring night.
The Nuggets’ Carmelo Anthony played with a stomach problem and a leg injury, which hindered his scoring and eventually his minutes later in the game.
Anthony barely played in the third quarter and headed to the locker room to start the fourth quarter, but later came out in the fourth — even though he was in obvious pain.
But after Denver’s defense limited Bryant to only two third-quarter points, Chauncey Billups and J.R. Smith picked up the scoring slack for Anthony en route to a second half eruption. The Nuggets controlled the offensive boards with the help of Chris “Birdman” Andersen’s 13 rebounds, which was the difference for Denver in the outcome.
Bryant hit three consecutive long jumpers late and had 14 fourth-quarter points, which kept his team threatening. But Smith’s shooting and Anthony’s tough points in the paint late sealed it for Denver.
Nene quietly had a big statistical night and dominated down low at multiple points during the contest. He finished with 14 points and 14 rebounds.
Denver out-rebounded the Lakers 59-41 in the win, and Kenyon Martin had 16 rebounds alone.
The Nuggets and the Lakers are now tied at 2-2 in the best-of-seven series, and Game 5 will be played on Wednesday in Los Angeles at 7 p.m. at the Staples Center.
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