Gasol has been looking for his shots, but also has been looking for Bynum. That's always a great sign. 11 of the first 15 points were scored by L.A two bigs. Pau (6), Drew (5). Ty Lawson continues to torch the Lakers, scoring 9 out of Denver's 19 points, while shooting 4-4 from the field.
19-18 Denver After the game's first timeout. Steve Blake made a three pointer, Jordan Hill had a dunk, Metta World Peace made a 3 and a blocked shot. All of this has given the Lakers a spark. 4 of the Lakers first 10 rebounds have been on the offensive glass. Bynum has 3 blocked shots in the opening 12 minutes, Kobe Bryant finished with 4 points. Sessions with 2.
Lakers lead the Nuggets 25-24 after the first quarter.
2nd Quarter
Steve Blake scored the first basket of the 2nd quarter with a 2 pointer, followed by a three pointer. 9:18 Left in the 2nd and Steve has been the only offense for the Lakers. Lakers lead 30-29
Kobe came back at the 9:00 minute mark, he forced a shot, Jordan Hill traveled and Denver took a 1 point lead after a Faried slam. Pau Gasol scored 5 Points and Steve Blake 3 (all assisted by Kobe) got the Lakers and 8-0 Run. Lakers got a 38-31 lead. Timeout Denver , 6:35 left in the 2nd.
Bynum and Gasol have been missing a lot of close shots around the basket, while Ty Lawson had a basket plus the foul bringing the Lakers lead to two. 39-37. Bryant and Bynum are both 2-7 FG each.
Andrew Bynum missed a two and right before the clock expired, Pau Gasol had a putback. Lakers finished the half leading 48-42.
The Lakers have played really well, way better than the Nuggets and are only up 6. That's the only negative so far.
At the Half:
Lakers
Kobe: 7 Points, 4 ast.
Bynum: 8 points, 6 boards.
Gasol: 11 Points, 7 Rebs, 5 Ast
Blake: 11 Points (3-3 3P)
Denver
Lawson 11 points
Afflalo 8 Points
Faried 6 & 6
Al Harrington 8 points.
3rd Quarter:
Kobe started the half with a jump shot. a layup (after a Sessions steal) and a pass to MWP for a triple. Lakers are up 55-44. Timeout Nuggets. 9:10 remaining
Lakers started the third quarter on a 14-4 run, they are playing suffocating defense. Lakers lead 62-46. A couple of three pointers by Metta World Peace, a jumper by Pau and a Kobe lefty layup were all part of the run. Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol have 9 rebounds each.
Denver is on a 13-3 run and has cut the lead to 5. 67-62 . Ty Lawson has been killing the entire Lakers team. He has 11 points in the third.
The Lakers had a 16 point lead, and with 41 seconds remaining in the third, the game is tied at 68. After a Kobe free throw and a Corey Brewer miss, we are going to the final quarter of the series with the Lakers up 1. 69-68 . Ty Lawson finished with 13 in the quarter.
4th Quarter
Al Harrington scored the first 5 points of the quarter and Denver has a 73-69 lead. Timeout Lakers.
Game is all tied at 75 after HUGE triples from Metta World Peace, Steve Blake and a Al Harrington layup.
The Lakers and the Nuggets are scoring back and forth, Gasol has gotten a few tip ins around the basket, Steve Blake made his 5th triple. For Denver, Andre Miller had a basket and a foul. Lakers lead 83-78, 5:22 left in the game.
Pau Gasol has 20 points, 17 rebounds and 6 ast. Steve Blake has a career playoff high 19 points. Kobe Bryant has guarded Ty Lawson in the quarter, he hasn't score since getting 13 in the third.
Aaron Affalo's three pointer cut the Lakers lead to 5. but Kobe Bryant responded with a three of his own. That was his first shot attempt of the 4th and it was nothing but net. Denver couldn't make another shot from the field and they lost to the Lakers 96-87. Pau Gasol finished with 23 points, 17 rebounds and 6 assists.
The Lakers advance and will face the OKC Thunder in round 2.
Credit: Getty Images/ NBA Yahoo Sports.
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