The Lakers trailed for three straight quarters before managing to defeat the Nuggets behind a 40 point performance by Kobe Bryant. The Lakers took Game 1of the Western Conference Finals by a score of 105-103.
Everything appeared to be going the Nuggets way early in the contest. The Nuggets had a 31 to 23 lead by the end of the first quarter. Carmelo Anthony had the hot hand throughout the contest and finished with 39 points. The defensive effort from the team as a whole was evident throughout the contest. A frustrated Kobe Bryant picked up a technical foul in the third quarter, his fifth of the post season.
Turnovers and missed free throws were key in the Nuggets loss. The team went just 23-35 from the line while the Lakers shot 20-24. The Nuggets also did not benefit from the poor shooting night of J.R. Smith who finished with just eight points.
Kobe Bryant took over the game late in the fourth quarter, scoring 15 points in the final seven minutes of the contest. Lamar Odom spoke about the play of Bryant in a post game interview. According to the Associated Press he stated, ''He was amazing. He wanted the ball. Kobe is always going to help you or bail you out more than he hurts you.'' Coach Phil Jackson shared these sentiments in his post game interview.
Nuggets coach George Karl was not as satisfied after the two point loss. He lamented that Game 1 was an opportunity that his team had squandered. He was quoted by the Associated Press stating, ''There's no moral victories in playoff basketball.''
Game 2 of the series will take place in Los Angeles on Thursday night.
