Fortitude and a late scoring flurry served the Denver Nuggets well in their game Thursday night against the Los Angeles Lakers; specifically, Chauncey Billups made 3 of 4 free throws late in the fourth quarter, which allowed Denver to get past Los Angeles 106-103, tying the Western Conference finals at 1-all.  The win is the Nuggets first ever against the Lakers as Los Angeles had an 11-0 record against Denver in playoff competition.

Los Angeles opened a 14-point lead early in the second quarter, but Carmelo Anthony began a run of 14 unanswered points by the Nuggets which allowed them to get to within 51-40; Denver would end the half trailing by only one at 55-54.  Linas Kleiza’s 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter gave the Nuggets an 85-82 lead; Billups followed up with a pair of free throws and Anthony scored a pair of baskets, extending Denver’s’ lead to 91-84.

Bryant would miss a jumper but redeem himself with a jumper while Shannon Brown drained a trey and Lamar Odom made two free throws as part of an 11-2 run that put the Lakers back up front 95-93; Denver would regain the lead before a 3 by Bryant tied the game at 99.  A pair of Billups free throws followed by a Bryant jumper tied the game at 101-all.  The issue was settled after a Kenyon Martin layup, icing the game for the Nuggets.

Denver’s high scorer was Anthony with 34 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal and a block while Billups added 27 with 2 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal; Martin and Kleiza chipped in 16 each – with Martin grabbing 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and a block while Kleiza made four 3-pointers and grabbed 8 rebounds.

Los Angeles was led by Bryant with 32 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and a block while Trevor Ariza added 20 with 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals; Pau Gasol chipped in 17 with 17 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks.  Denver looks to take the series lead as they return to Pepsi Center as they take on Los Angeles Saturday night.