Nuggets Lose; Trail Lakers 2-1

DENVER (AP) – Kobe Bryant’s 3-pointer wasn’t nearly as dramatic as LeBron James’ but equally effective. Bryant’s big shot over J.R. Smith gave Los Angeles a one-point lead with just over a minute left and sparked the Lakers to a 103-97 victory over the downtrodden Denver Nuggets for a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference finals.

Bryant, who scored 41 points, went 5-of-6 on free throws to ice it after his 3-pointer gave Los Angeles a 96-95 lead. Carmelo Anthony scored 21 points but just three after halftime for Denver, which lost at home for the first time since March 9. He was 4-for-13 in his worst performance of the postseason.

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