In the 2009 NBA Playoffs, Lakers defeated Nuggets to win the Western Conference Championship. On May 30 Beijing time, the Lakers achieved a big victory over the Nuggets with a score of 119-92, advancing to the finals for two consecutive years with a large score of 4-2. Their opponent will be the winner between the Magic and the Cavaliers. Compared with the previous victory of the Lakers over the Nuggets, this victory was even more glorious.
Kobe Bryant made 12 out of 20 shots, scoring 35 points, making 10 assists and grabbing 6 rebounds, with only one mistake throughout the game. Pau Gasol scored 20 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and made 6 assists, Trevor Ariza scored 17 points, and Lamar Odom scored 20 points and grabbed 8 rebounds.
Carmelo Anthony ended his season on his 25th birthday, making 6 out of 17 shots, scoring 25 points. JR Smith, coming off the bench, scored 24 points, and Kenyon Martin scored 13 points.
Just like in the last game, Kobe reduced the number of attempts, passing the ball more to his teammates. He had already tasted the sweetness of success from doing this last time, so he repeated the same strategy today, allowing the Lakers to play more smoothly.
Ariza hit a three-pointer shortly after the opening tip-off, helping the Lakers start the game with a 5-0 lead. The Nuggets didn't score until Jones made a follow-up basket at the 3:26 mark. After the Nuggets tied the score at 16-17, Kobe broke through forcefully and made a layup, helping the Lakers score 4 points in a row to regain the advantage. At the end of the first quarter, the Lakers led 25-20.
Although he reduced the number of attempts, Kobe remained the sharpest offensive point for the Lakers. In the second quarter, he attempted 5 times, missing only once, scoring 11 points in the quarter, helping the Lakers widen the gap. Shortly after the beginning of the quarter, the Nuggets took the lead at 33-32, but they didn't stay ahead for long. Kobe continuously assisted Odom and Fisher, then himself made two free throws, helping the Lakers score 7 points in a row to take the lead again at 39-33. The Nuggets failed to make a shot for 5 minutes, while Kobe kept creating opportunities for his teammates under double-team defense. With 2 minutes left in the quarter, he assisted Ariza, who hit a three-pointer. Kobe himself also hit a three-pointer, helping the Lakers lead 53-40 into halftime.
In the first half, Kobe made 6 out of 10 shots, scoring 18 points. In the third quarter, the Lakers were even more confident, expanding their lead to 20 points. With 2:24 left in the quarter, Kobe went one-on-one and made a jump shot on the right side, helping the Lakers lead 79-59. At a critical moment, Smith continuously made shots, and Kleiza also hit a three-pointer, as the Nuggets scored 8 points in a row to narrow the gap to 12 points. The Lakers failed to make a shot for the last 2:24, but Vujacic made four free throws at the end of the quarter, helping the Lakers lead 83-67 into the final quarter.
Odom made two consecutive shots at the start of the fourth quarter, scoring 5 points alone, helping the Lakers achieve a 22-point lead at 88-67.
Anthony wanted to save his birthday party, making two shots, as the Nuggets narrowed the gap to 82-96 with 7:20 left in the game. However, Kobe ruined his party, responding immediately with a dunk, then hitting a three-pointer from long range, scoring 5 points alone. Gasol also made two free throws, as the Lakers regained a 21-point lead at 103-82.
The Nuggets failed to protect their high-altitude home court, unable to narrow the gap to less than 18 points thereafter, and could only accept the defeat.
The Finals will begin on June 5 Beijing time, with their opponent being the Magic.