In many ways, Game 2 of the Western Conference finals was an exact replica of Game 1. Except in this one, the Nuggets and the Lakers seemed to switch roles, and Denver was the team celebrating a hard-fought, last-second victory as they left the court.The Nuggets overcame a double-digit deficit early and ended up making the clutch plays down the stretch to get the split in Los Angeles, sending the series back to Denver tied at one game apiece.
As the game began, this time it was Denver who seemed a step slow, and it was the Lakers who were the ones playing aggressive, team-oriented basketball. Kobe Bryant scored 14 in the first quarter, Carmelo Anthony started 1-for-6 from the field, and the score was identical to that at the end of the period in Game 1 -- but it was the Lakers who were leading, 31-23.
L.A. extended their lead to as many as 14 in the second quarter, but Anthony started to get going, and at one point scored 13 straight points for his team. While he kept Denver in it by continuing to score, it was really Linas Kleiza's second quarter that made sure that the Lakers' lead didn't get out of hand. Kleiza had eight points and eight rebounds in the period and hit a couple of timely three-pointers just as the Lakers were threatening to blow this thing open.
Denver closed the half on a 16-4 run and trailed by just one at the break after a crafty play by Chauncey Billups, where he inbounded the ball to himself -- by throwing it off of Kobe's back and then catching it -- and then finished at the rim with a layup.
Things were tight in the third, and although Denver was able to tie the game a couple of times, the Lakers never relinquished the lead. That happened early in the fourth, on a three-pointer from Kleiza that put Denver up 85-82.
The Nuggets extended their lead to seven in the final period -- just as they did in Game 1 -- before L.A. went on a 9-0 run to regain a two-point lead of their own.
The play that decided the game was a jump ball situation between Pau Gasol and Billups, with Denver leading by two and just 18 seconds remaining. J.R. Smith appeared to enter the circle before the ball was tossed up, which should have been a violation. And once Trevor Ariza ended up with the ball, he seemed to be shoved to the ground by the left hand of Carmelo Anthony. But the game was physical and hard-fought late, and the referees didn't deem it necessary to make either call, so Billups ended up with the ball and made two free throws to put his team up by four with 13 seconds to go, which effectively sealed it for the Nuggets.
These two teams are about as even as you can get statistically through the first two games of this series, and the battle between Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony (who finished with 32 and 34 points respectively in Game 2) is shaping up to be an all-time classic. This series is looking like it might have what it takes to go seven at this point, which would be a real treat for anyone who considers themselves to be a fan of the NBA.
Latest NBA Playoff Photos
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 21: WWE executive Shane McMahon attends Game Two of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center on May 21, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Shane McMahon
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 21: Actor Tom Cruise attends Game Two of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center on May 21, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tom Cruise
Getty Images
Los Angeles Lakers fan and actor Jack Nicholson reacts as Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl gestures at his players during the second half of Game 2 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals Thursday, May 21, 2009, in Los Angeles. The Nuggets beat the Lakers, 106-103(AP Photo/ Mark J. Terrill )
AP
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 21: Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers sits down after picking up his fourth foul in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets in Game Two of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 21, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Pau Gasol
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 21: Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers holds the ball as Chauncey Billups #7 and Nene #31 of the Denver Nuggets go after the ball in the fourth quarter of Game Two of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 21, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Pau Gasol;Chauncey Billups;Nene
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 21: Chauncey Billups #7 of the Denver Nuggets moves the ball as he is guarded by Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Two of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 21, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chauncey Billups;Derek Fisher
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 21: Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a shot against Chris Andersen #11 and Nene #31 of the Denver Nuggets in Game Two of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 21, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Derek Fisher;Nene;Chris Andersen
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 21: Head coach George Karl of the Denver Nuggets points in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Two of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 21, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** George Karl
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 21: Trevor Ariza #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball against Dahntay Jones #30 and Nene #31 of the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter of Game Two of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 21, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Trevor Ariza;Nene;Dahntay Jones
Getty Images
Denver Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups, left, puts up a shot as Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom defends during the second half of Game 2 in their NBA Western conference final basketball series, Thursday, May 21, 2009, in Los Angeles. The Nuggets won 106-103. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
AP
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-22-2009 @ 2:29AM
mike said...
I was pondering after the Nuggets were handed a victory in L.A.; Denver again shot more free throws, K-mart clearly should have been called for an excessive foul, on Ariza since Ariza was in the air when he intentionally grabbed his arm and he crashed to the floor and the unbelievable amount of time Phil kept Kobe out the game in the 2nd quarter. Did L.A. want to win this game? Looks like were going 6 games.
Reply
5-22-2009 @ 4:57AM
jtkik said...
I love how the ESPN nitwits are saying Denver should be up 2-0, as if L.A. couldn't or shouldn't be up 2-0 themselves. As if the Lakers didn't have a big lead tonight and didn't lead most of the way until falling short down the stretch, and as if they didn't lead in most statistical areas except FT shooting percentage, all exactly like Denver on Tuesday. But only Denver "should be up 2-0". I don't remember the last time I saw a "home" team get as reamed by the refs as L.A. was tonight. Kobe was fouled at least three or four times in the act of shooting - no fouls called. I can't even remember all of the atrocious calls or non-calls, there were so many. In the fourth quarter alone that I remember, Chauncey bounces a pass off of Gasol's leg which isn't even moving as he was just standing there, and Gasol is called for "kicking the ball". On another play during a scramble for a rebound, K-Mart shoves Gasol down and sends him flying into the first row of spectators - no foul called. Finally, the back breaker - Smith illegally in the circle during the jump ball at the end of the game, and Ariza gets knocked down and loses the ball. No fouls called. Lakers lose by three. Like Chauncey's three-pointer Tuesday at the end of that game which cut the Laker lead to one with a few seconds left. Problem was, he stepped out of bounds and a ref was standing just a few feet away. Shot counts, one point game. I'm starting to wonder if the league in fact doesn't want to extend this series. Maybe because the Cavs (ie: LeBron) just lost one at home, so the Lakers (ie: Kobe) had to take one on the chin at home too? I don't know, but tonight was ridiculous. If these NBA refs aren't corrupt, they are embarrassingly incompetent.
Reply
5-22-2009 @ 8:30AM
roberto said...
Stop your whining about the officiating. From my vantage point, the Lakers got the calls. Think about it: why would the refs favor Denver. Most people not Denver fans want LA in the finals, not Denver. If the refs were to tilt the outcome by making intentional bad calls, they would do it to favor LA not Denver. Officials miss calls. Kobe gets more than his share of calls. Gasol gets away with pushing under the boards all night long. In the end, the players decide the outcome.
Reply
5-22-2009 @ 10:57AM
mike said...
I guess L.A. will be treated like the home team when they arrive in the mile high city. Denver clearly has enjoyed lopsided officiating, I.E. game 1 missed billups stepping out of bounds, K-mart hacking everyone he's close to, J.R. Smith clearly entering the tip zone and a host of other fouls. I love Melo's talent, however everytime he drives, he pushes off with the off elbow to create space and thus get his shot off. The Lakers will win this series so the NBA can make their money and the rest of the league won't suffer financially. Believe it, The Lakers draw the most fans and are watched in every city and most countries. NBA loses billions whern they're not in the playoffs or Finals. More games more money.
Reply
5-22-2009 @ 9:23PM
jtkik said...
I don't have to "think about" it. I watched it. I don't need to think about "why" they would favor Denver, or if that was truly their intention. All I need to know is that I saw their atrocious officiating directly lead to Denver winning that game. Denver had a few bad calls go against them earlier in the game but they weren't of big impact. The vast majority of the bad calls in the 4th quarter went against L.A., including down the final stretch, and some were horrible.
Reply