Lakers Put Nuggets on the Ropes

Despite suffering their worst loss of the postseason two days earlier in Denver, the Lakers re-asserted themselves as the best team in the West -- if not the entire league -- with a 103-94 win at home over the Nuggets. They now hold a commanding 3-2 lead in the series, needing just one more win over the next two games to return to the NBA Finals.

The Lakers have been maddeningly inconsistent the last several weeks, but Wednesday's win did preserve one positive streak: they've yet to lose consecutive games in the playoffs. Granted, they've yet to win consecutive games against the Nuggets, but the way the schedule works out, they don't need to.

Lakers 103, Nuggets 94: Recap | Box Score | George Karl Rips Refs
Lakers Lead 3-2 | Next Game: Friday @ Denver, 9 PM ET

The Nuggets have to be frustrated with how this game worked out. Carmelo Anthony, slowed the last two games, was once again dominant with 31 points. This game was tied at the end of the first, second and third quarters, and the Lakers pulled away in the final frame with Kobe Bryant taking a backseat to his teammates.

"It was a big gamble for me coming in, but I wanted to change my approach this game and be more of a decoy,'' Bryant said. "The past couple games they really were loading to my side and I figured I could be a decoy and try to give chances to my teammates."

It worked -- despite scoring just four points in the final quarter, Bryant also doled out three of his eight assists. Meanwhile, Pau Gasol (14 points, 10 boards) and Lamar Odom (19 points, 14 boards, four blocks) scored eight points apiece in the fourth, helping the Lakers jump out to an 11-0 run to start the fourth before cruising to victory. Bryant, who averaged 36.8 points in the first four games, finished with just 22 on 6-13 shooting.

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 27: Nene #31 of the Denver Nuggets goes up for a shot against Lamar Odom #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 27, 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 *** Nene;Lamar Odom

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Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl, left, reacts as actor Jack Nicholson yells during the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Game 5 in the NBA Western Conference finals playoff basketball series, Wednesday, May 27, 2009, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 103-94. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith reacts as the clock winds down in the final minute as Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant looks on during the second half at Game 5 in the NBA Western Conference finals playoff basketball series, Wednesday, May 27, 2009, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 103-94. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom stumbles over Denver Nuggets forward Linas Kleiza during the second half at Game 5 in the NBA Western Conference finals playoff basketball series, Wednesday, May 27, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 27: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets goes up for a shot against Lamar Odom #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 27, 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 *** Carmelo Anthony;Lamar Odom

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 27: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets goes up for a shot against Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 27, 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 *** Carmelo Anthony;Pau Gasol

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 27: Head coach George Karl of the Denver Nuggets looks on in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on May 27, 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 27: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers is fouled by Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter of Game Five of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 27, 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 *** Kobe Bryant;Carmelo Anthony

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Kobe Bryant (L) of the Los Angeles Lakers is fouled by Carmelo Anthony (R) of the Denver Nuggets during Game 5 of their NBA Western Conference final basketball playoff game in Los Angeles, May 27, 2009. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL IMAGES OF THE DAY)

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This was by far Odom's first meaningful appearance of the series, and just the second time since the opening round against the Jazz that he's scored more than 10 points in a game. He may never finish another game in these playoffs with more field-goal attempts (15) than Bryant, but if this game is actually a harbinger of things to come instead of a flash in the pan, the Lakers may be able to put this series on ice Friday night in Denver.

Another reserve who made a huge impact for the Lakers was Shannon Brown, whose contributions can't adequately be reflected in a traditional box score. He technically finished with a mere six points but helped energize the Lakers his entire time on the floor both inside (putting Denver's block machine Chris Andersen on a poster with a huge dunk) and out (bailing out his teammates by converting a shot-clock beating desperation jumper). Despite playing just 10 minutes, he finished a team-high +18 in the plus/minus column.

While Anthony re-emerged, the rest of the Nuggets took a step back; nobody else on the team scored more than a dozen points. Chauncey Billups, who carried this team at times earlier in the playoffs, finished with a mundane 12 points and five assists, settling for long three-pointers instead of getting into the paint and exploiting his superior strength.

After averaging better than 10 free-throw attempts over the first four games, Billups got to the line just once on Wednesday. That's what happens when six of your seven field-goal attempts are from beyond the three-point line. Both Billups and J.R. Smith, who finished with 7 points (3-13 shooting, including 1-10 beyond the arc) need to get more aggressive getting into the paint and drawing fouls instead of always going for the home run shot.