Game 2: Lakers Can't Repeat

The Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Denver Nuggets 106-103, evening the series at a game apiece. The Lakers started off hot, leading by 8 after the first quarter, but the lead fell to just one-point at halftime. Denver stepped up in the fourth quarter, scoring 26 points to take Game 2 and split the series heading into Denver. The Lakers caught the Nuggets' free-throw bug, going only 27-for-35 at the stripe. The missed free-throws proved to be the difference, as both teams were evenly matched in every category, including rebounds, offensive rebounds, assists, turnovers, 3-pointers, and blocked shots. Kobe Bryant led LA with 32 points, and Trevor Ariza added 20 points and 4 steals, but had a pivotal turnover as he lost the ball after Pau Gasol tipped it to him on a jump-ball with just seconds left in the game. Gasol had 17 points and 17 rebounds. Carmelo Anthony led all scorers with 34 points and added 9 rebounds, and Chancey Billups put up 27 points.