Nuggets Flip the Script, Win Game 2

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.

Nuggets 106, Lakers 103: Recap | Box Score

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.

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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

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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

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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 )

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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)