NBA: Bryant’s 43 not enough, as Nuggets stay alive

Kobe Bryant and Ramon Sessions missed three-pointers that could have forced overtime, allowing the Denver Nuggets to eke one out on LA's homecourt, winning 102-99 over the Lakers to extend their Western Conference playoff series lives, 3-2. The Nuggets enjoyed a 15-point lead for most of the fourth quarter's first half, until a 15-4 run fueled by Los Angeles' big three of Bryant, Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol reduced their deficit to just four points, 94-90 with 2:32 left to play. A minute and a half later, a Bryant triple made it a two-point game, 98-96, 59 seconds remaining. Andre Miller failed to extend their lead when he missed a 14-footer, but Bryant was unable to capitalize on the other end, missing on a close-range shot. Off the miss, Denver reserve Al Harrington hauled the rebound, drawing a Gasol foul in the process. He was unable to connect on the first charity, however, though he made the second. With the score at 99-96, Bryant missed again, this time on a potential game-tying shot. Off a Denver timeout, Steve Blake sent Ty Lawson to the line, but Denver's starting floor general managed just a split too. LA called a timeout of their own, and Blake found Sessions for a triple to make it a one-point game. Still in fouling mode, 14 seconds left, Bryant put Andre Miller on the line, and the veteran dutifully knocked both in, 102-99 with 12 seconds left. The Lakers called their final timeout, but were unable to connect, despite a second look off a Steve Blake offensive rebound. Denver was in control early on, and after LA managed to get within a field goal after the break, 49-47, a minute gone by in the third, Denver exploded for 10 unanswered, to forge a double-digit advantage, 59-47. Bryant's seven straight markers brought his team back to within a trey, 66-63, but the Nuggets had an answer for that as well, as six straight points, four by JaVale McGee, returned Denver's commanding position. The Nuggets drew big performances from two of their bench players. Miller had a team-best 24 points, as well as eight rebounds, while McGee, acquired at the trade deadline, churned out a double-double of 21 points and 14 boards. Shooting guard Arron Afflalo added 19 points and three swipes. Bryant exploded for 43 points on 14-of-32 shooting, but ran out of steam late, after getting his teammates into position to tie the game.  Bynum and Matt Barnes had 16 and 11 respectively, while Gasol struggled with just nine. The series shifts back to Denver on Thursday (Friday, PHL time), when the Nuggets aim to level the series at 3-3.  — Adrian Dy/JVP, GMA News