All year long, the Lakers had a singular, simple goal: to return to the NBA Finals, and avenge last year's loss in the championship round. They achieved the first part of that goal on Friday by closing out the Denver Nuggets in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals, 119-92.
In a series where the referees were the topic of discussion over the past two games, the Lakers made sure that this one wouldn't be close enough for the officials -- or the Nuggets -- to have any say at all regarding the outcome of this game.
Steinmetz: Lakers' Skill Makes Toughness Questions Irrelevant
The beginning of Game 6 started off with an effort that was very measured by both teams. Each walked the ball up the floor, and carefully ran their sets, in an extended feeling-out period that lasted almost the entire first quarter.
The Lakers led by five after one, but the Nuggets responded to take the lead on a three-pointer from J.R. Smith, which capped a 7-0 Denver run and infused some energy into a building that had remained a little too quiet through the game's opening minutes.
L.A. regained the lead on the next possession, and never relinquished it, finishing the half on a 23-9 run that was finished off by a three-pointer from Kobe Bryant which gave the Lakers a 13-point halftime lead.
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DENVER - MAY 29: Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots over Chris Andersen #11 of the Denver Nuggets and over teammate Lamar Odom #7 in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Pepsi Center on May 29, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Pau Gasol;Chris Andersen;Lamar Odom
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DENVER - MAY 29: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball in the second half against the Denver Nuggets in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Pepsi Center on May 29, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kobe Bryant
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DENVER - MAY 29: Shannon Brown #12 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a shot over Chris Andersen #11 of the Denver Nuggets in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Pepsi Center on May 29, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Shannon Brown;Chris Andersen
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DENVER - MAY 29: Nene #31 of the Denver Nuggets goes up for a shot between Luke Walton #4, Lamar Odom #7 and Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Pepsi Center on May 29, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Nene;Luke Walton;Lamar Odom;Derek Fisher
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DENVER - MAY 29: Nene #31 of the Denver Nuggets goes up for a shot over Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Pepsi Center on May 29, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Nene;Pau Gasol
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Los Angeles Lakers' Luke Walton draws a foul on Denver Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony as he's picked by Denver's Nene during first half action in Game 6 of the NBA Western Conference finals, Friday, May 29, 2009. The Lakers defeated the Nuggets, 119-92.(Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/MCT)
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Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant blocks a shot by Denver Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony at the end of the first half in Game 6 of the NBA Western Conference finals, Friday, May 29, 2009. The Lakers defeated the Nuggets, 119-92. (Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/MCT)
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Los Angeles Lakers' Trevor Ariza is called for a charge on Denver Nuggets' Nene during first half action in Game 6 of the NBA Western Conference finals, Friday, May 29, 2009. The Lakers defeated the Nuggets, 119-92. (Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/MCT)
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Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant scores over Denver Nuggets' Chris Andersen during first half action in Game 6 of the NBA Western Conference finals, Friday, May 29, 2009. The Lakers defeated the Nuggets, 119-92. (Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/MCT)
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Los Angeles Lakers' Andrew Bynum fouls Denver Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony during first half action in Game 6 of the NBA Western Conference finals, Friday, May 29, 2009. The Lakers defeated the Nuggets, 119-92. (Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/MCT)
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Denver went with its strategy from Game 5, where it double-teamed Bryant whenever he touched the ball. Just like the plan failed to work in Los Angeles, it failed to work in Game 6 -- Bryant repeatedly passed out to find the open man, which, in the first half, happened to be Trevor Ariza. Ariza was wide open on several early possessions, and finished with 13 first-half points.
The Nuggets went away from that in the second half, but by then it was too late -- the Lakers' role players had found their rhythm, and once Bryant started to score, the lead ballooned to 20 in the third quarter, and L.A. found that killer instinct that they had been searching for all postseason long.
Kobe finished with 35 points, six rebounds and 10 assists, and was an efficient 12-of-20 from the field with his shooting. Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom finished with 20 points apiece, and Ariza finished with 17.
The Nuggets' stars -- Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups -- disappeared when their team needed them the most. Anthony had a solid but not dominant line of 25 points on 6-of-17 shooting, while Billups managed just 10 points, nine assists, and five turnovers, in 39 minutes, on 2-of-7 shooting.
In the end, the Nuggets were never able to play with the reckless abandon or the confidence that got them to 2-2 in this series, or that got them the big home win in Game 4. The Lakers got contributions from multiple players as they had for most of the regular season, and will finally get a chance at redemption with a return to the NBA Finals.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
5-30-2009 @ 12:26AM
cabinetec said...
The Lakers have proven once again that they possess the greatness it takes to win a championship. They ARE the team to beat as has been said all year. The Nuggets are a vastly improved team over last year and have probubly made the Lakers a tougher team inside than they were before this series.Kobe once again has proven he is the BEST closer in the NBA , Whoever the Lakers meet better be on their best game . Once again the cream has risen to the top .GO LAKERS
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5-30-2009 @ 1:00PM
tom said...
The 3-pointer to Kobe finishes an runaway game.
5-30-2009 @ 12:49AM
Patrick said...
You're so right, cab. And the best part is the Thuggets can't blame the Refs.BLOW OUT!!!!
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5-30-2009 @ 12:54AM
imshortyk said...
destroy**
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5-30-2009 @ 1:12AM
marina said...
The LAKERS are the best team in the NBA. You people sound like sore losers.hahahahaha see ya at the champion ship games suckas!
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5-30-2009 @ 1:13AM
cabinetec said...
Why are there brain dead people like DANDILIQUIDATION and SHAYAN who know absolutly NOTHING about the game of basketball and come in here and make these totally assenine comments that show thier LACK of intelligence????? I dont get it. Shouldnt they be on Jerry Springers show or something?? Go play somewhere else you MORONS
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5-30-2009 @ 1:16AM
M.DONOSO said...
Man....you are pathetic!!!! Your saying Kobaby?? The one acting like a little cry baby is you. SORE LOSER!!! Gimme a break. Get a life you LAME.
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5-30-2009 @ 1:19AM
M.DONOSO said...
I just love all these sore losers on here. HAHAHAAAAAAA!!!!! All these haters are pathetic!!
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5-30-2009 @ 1:35AM
ybets01 said...
Thugget's good job showing up for elimination game,hehehe... We'll it's time for you for to go back prison....Enjoy watching the Lakers!!Win Biatchess!!!! that's as far as you go.. AND FOR ALL YOU LAKER HATERS, SUCK IT BITCHESSS!!!
GO LAKERS!!!!!!ALL THE WAY BABY!!!! YEAH!
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5-30-2009 @ 1:35AM
Dalapadsr1 said...
Face it Kobe is the BEST player on the planet with the best team. Gat a life you kobe hating LOSERS . and get a dictionary too, morons. Somehow it is always the idiots who are kobe haters , go figure. Lakers over any team in the finals , you losers......get a GED
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5-30-2009 @ 1:49AM
Giles said...
J. R. Smith scored very well for the Nuggets. I hope he goes into training camp penciled in at the wing guard spot for them. Linas Kleiza was solid off the bench, too. I wish the Nuggets well in the off season, and the Lakers well in the Championship round, along with either the Magic or the Cavaliers. Lakers won on offense tonight, not defense. I hope they play better defense in the Championship round, whether they go against the almost one man front court offense of James, and his three point guard scoring mates, Williams, West, and Gibson, or the three front court all stars at one time or another, Howard, Lewis, and Turkoglu of the Magic.
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5-30-2009 @ 3:01AM
uticabob said...
dandeliquidation....... YOU ARE WITHOUT A DOUBT THE BIGGEST IDIOT TO EVER COMMENT ON ANYTHING SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE INTERNET. YOUR IGNORANCE IS ONLY SURPASSED BY YOUR STUPIDITY. WHAT A JOKE YOU ARE!!!!!
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5-30-2009 @ 3:21AM
bigmick489 said...
Excuse me Nugget fans! Kenyon, chauncey, and mello shot their mouths off , how they were going to be in the NBA finals, karl, got cockey too. Lakers always adjust after they figure out what is going on, Refs were calling bad calls against the Lakers too, and you guys know it! No one is going to stop the Lakers this year, so get used to it. Shut up and take your Laker medicine and wait for next year, like laker fans had to do this year.
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5-30-2009 @ 5:05AM
Dvdfrnzwbr said...
LeBron James or Dwhite Howard will clean the floor with bryant.
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5-30-2009 @ 5:34AM
lakeshow24kg said...
Uticabob and Cabinetec, you guys are right. Dandeliquidation is the biggest idiot in the history of the internet for ignorant comments such as those that he made on this board. Lakers won the West by 11 games this year, so it is only fitting that they put everything back together in time to make it back to the Finals. As for the Kobe haters, I don't think you guys can live with the fact that Kobe has the complete all around game absent of any weaknesses. This is in contrast to LeBron who almost solely relies upon Bulldozing, annihilating, and destroying defenders on his way to the rim, only to have fouls called on the defenders for taking the wrath of such aggressive acts. Hopefully, Orlando can get past the embarassingly one-sided officiating in game 6 and meet the Lakers in the finals. If Cleveland/ Refs do make it to the finals, they can only be happy that they will not have to face Denver, where K-Mart, Birdman, Dirty Dahntay, or some of the other thugs on Denver would have clotheslined and demolished LeBron on his way to the basket, much like he did to his defenders. Either way, Lakers are headed back to where they belong...THE FINALS where they can impose their will on either a deserving Orlando team or the much more powerful (if you know what I mean) Cleveland/Refs team. The latter will be much more difficult however, since the Lakers would be playing 5 on 8 much like Orlando is now!
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5-30-2009 @ 6:10AM
demzrdopes said...
Kobe doin' work..
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5-30-2009 @ 7:29AM
Dvdfrnzwbr said...
When will you ignoramouses realize that LeBron, KING JAMES, gets the foul calls because nobody on this Planet Earth can guard him. NOBODY! IT DOES NOT EXIST!
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5-30-2009 @ 8:57AM
HomeInspect091 said...
don't you mean...PRINCESS JAMES...he's a wuss
5-30-2009 @ 9:53AM
bigwhitt2k said...
I don't know about that man, I mean don't get me wrong, Lebrone is a beast. He's strong, fast, and super-athletic. But he does seem to just bully his way to the rim. Honestly, he should have at least 3-4 offensive fouls per game the way he plays...That's a difference between him and JORDAN...Jordan's movements were more graceful..he would change mid-air and make a shot...He'd fake you out...Lebrone will run you over...Lebrone is off the chain, no doubt, but if I had to pick, I'd want to see Jordan's highlights (KOBE as well)...Lebron scores, but Jordan made you dream and left you with your mouth open, just by the WAY he scored...Respect to Lebrone though!
5-30-2009 @ 7:32AM
JOHN BAUMGARTNER said...
Bye Bye " Turd Nuggets "...Yeap, flushed right down the toilet. Luck is not enough to win a championship. And now it does not matter whether its Labron or Dwight. Same results will happen...Another Ring for Sir Kobe.
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