(4) Los Angeles Lakers 96 to 87 Denver Nuggets (3)
The Staples Center was not prepared to suffer a setback as great as had been left out in the first round.
The criticism of Mike Brown to Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol both sought the reaction of so decisive for appointment. I guess he wanted to chop them to be angry and to demonstrate what they are capable. In defense of the coach say he had every reason to make them broth. And boy reacted.
The game started on both sides matched. No marker were not the Lakers or the Colorado. Exchange of baskets that came from the hands of Bynum and Gasol, responding from minute 1. The 25-24 was the end of the period.
In the second did better premises, placing 39-31 in the absence of 5:23 minutes. Steve Blake scoring easily from the triple. Visitors reacted, with the help of Lawson. A buzzer beater by Pau Gasol left the score at 48-42. The Sant Boi had 13 points scored at the break. Much more active, much stronger. He was being an unstoppable player.
After the break, the locals put alkaline batteries. A triple base and balls to the low post, the Lakers took a lead of +15 after a basket Metta World Peace (64-49). Angelina defense was good (several blocks), Kobe was scoring inside and the duo took advantage of its size. But these Nuggets have race. With Ty Lawson hit, put a part of 5-19 to be only 1 down (69-68).
The last quarter started with a 0-5 Al Harrington, the best along with Lawson. They sounded the alarm at Staples. And there appeared again Pau Gasol. In one of the most recambolescas plays the game, the power forward grabbed 6 offensive rebounds Angeleno after 5 consecutive errors in the shot with clapping a little over two feet from the hoop. Eventually the ball went in and was clearing the premises. From 78-75 to 85-78 with 6 points PG16.
The Colorado could not Coming round again and a cool head (this time) of the premises controlled the tempo. A triple of the Black Mamba in the absence of 48 seconds left the score at 92-84, securing the victory and move to semifinals.
Bad offensive game with 39% of both, with a slight advantage in rebounding the Nuggets (54 to 50), but with less local losses (11 to 18). Angelina impenetrable defense with 14 caps in place.
HIGHLIGHTS
Lakers: Pau Gasol 23 points, 17 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 blocks, Kobe Bryant 17 points and 8 assists, Andrew Bynum 16 points, 18 rebounds, 6 blocks, Steve Blake 19 points (5/6 triples)
Nuggets: Ty Lawson 24 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds, Al Harrington 24 points, Arron Afflalo 15 points and 3 assists, 6 points JaVale McGee, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks.