Lakers and Nuggets Now Tied in the Series

The Lakers let a 14-point lead get away from them last night at Staples Center, losing to the Denver Nuggets 106-103. The Western Conference finals are now tied at 1-1 and Games 3 and 4 will be held in Denver, where the Nuggets have won 16 consecutive games at Pepsi Center, not losing since March 9. Summing up what everyone was thinking after the Lakers’ defeat last night, Kobe Bryant said resignedly, “They have home-court advantage now.”

The Lakers began to fall apart in the second quarter and diminished their large lead into just 55-54 at halftime. “It was a free-throw shooting contest and we caved first, simple as that,” said Bryant about the game with 56 fouls and 72 free-throw attempts. The Nuggets haven’t been beaten in Denver since their 97-95 loss to the Houston Rockets over ten weeks ago but Derek Fisher told reporters sarcastically, “We might as well not go, then, if that’s the case. This is for an opportunity to win an NBA championship. We’re going to play to win on Staurday night.” Bryant chimed in, “We’re not the best road team in the NBA for no reason.”

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