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 Saturday night 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.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)