LOS ANGELES (AP) -Nobody was feeling luckier than Kobe Bryant a day after rescuing the Los Angeles Lakers from certain defeat against the Denver Nuggets in their Western Conference finals opener.
“We just kind of got away with one,” he said, grinning. “It happens sometimes.”
Bryant scored 40 points, including six free throws in the final 30 seconds Tuesday night, to give the Lakers a 105-103 victory after being outplayed most of the game.
Call it stealing one at home.
“It was one of those gutty performances that you have to have throughout the postseason,” Bryant said after practice Wednesday. “We had everything working against us – mistakes, loose balls, bobbling balls out of bounds. It just seemed like one of those nights, but we managed to pull through it.”
Game 2 is Thursday night at Staples Center.
a couldn’t stop Denver’s Carmelo Anthony, who owned a lackluster history against the Lakers until exploding for 39 points.
Bryant started out defending Chauncey Billups (18 points), then took on J.R. Smith (eight points) before sliding over late to Anthony, his U.S. Olympic teammate. Forget asking coach Phil Jackson for permission to change defensive assignments, either.
“We have the type of relationship where I just do it,” Bryant said. “Whatever it took to win the game, I had to do. It was fun.”
Anthony had a breakout game, going 14 of 20 from the floor, including 4 of 5 from 3-point range, 7 of 8 from the line, with six rebounds and four assists.
“He’s been phenomenal,” Billups said. “For a while he fell out of that whole LeBron (James), D-Wade, Melo talk and I’m happy that he’s back where he should be. He’s led his team to the Western Conference finals and he’s been the best player on our team all year.”
But Anthony doesn’t consider himself the kind of one-man show Bryant had to be for the Lakers.
“I don’t really think it’s about me putting up numbers,” Anthony said. “I’m not going to beat the Lakers by myself. Chauncey’s not going to beat the Lakers by himself. We need our bench, our X-factor guys J.R. (Smith), LK (Linas Kleiza) and Birdman (Chris Andersen). We need everybody like we’ve been doing it so far.”
was better Wednesday.
“I’m definitely going to play,” he said. “I’ll be ready for tomorrow.”
A day later, the Nuggets were feeling they outplayed the Lakers most of the way but had nothing to show for it.
“Our heads are still high. We’re still standing tall, we’re still confident,” Anthony said. “We did everything but win the game. We can take that as a good sign. We’re going to respond, I guarantee you we respond.”
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