NBA Scores Western Conference Finals: Los Angeles Lakers Takes 3-2 Series Lead after Edging Denver Nuggets in Game 5

Kobe Bryant scored 22 points and dished out 8 assists, Lamar Odom added 19 points and 14 rebounds and Pau Gasol finished with 14 points and 10 boards as the Los Angeles Lakers used a fourth quarter surge to edge the Denver Nuggets 103-94 on Wednesday night and take a 3-2 advantage in their best-of-seven Western Conference Finals series.

Denver jumped to a quick 10-4 advantage in the opening frame as LA came out cold but the Lakers quickly warmed up and a 10-1 run put them in front 14-11 with 5:31 left in the quarter. The Nuggets were able to tie the game at 18-18 after Chauncey Billups buried a three-pointer and after that the two teams played even with the first period ending at 20-20.

The second quarter was more of the same as neither team could put together a run that would give them a comfortable lead. Denver did look like they would go into the half with the lead after Anthony Carter sank a triple with 1:00 left to give the Nuggets a 54-49 lead but Sasha Vujacic managed to even the score at 56-56 when he hit a three-pointer just before the break.

In the third quarter the Nuggets grabbed a 71-64 lead following a three-point play from Carmelo Anthony and that seven point advantage held until LA put together a 7-0 spurt to even the score with 3;26 left in the frame. Chauncey Billups ended the Lakers run with a three-pointer but Kobe answered with a triple of his own and the 76-76 tie would carry into the fourth.

It took three quarters before either team would put together a defining run but LA opened the fourth with an 11-0 run that would leave the Nuggets chasing the rest of the way. Denver was able to get within four with 3:47 left in the game but a three-point play from Trevor Ariza put the Lakers back in front by seven. Carmelo Anthony was able to get the Nuggets back to within five with 1:23 but Lamar Odom answered with a three-point play and then Kobe Bryant sank a pair of free-throws and the lead was ten with 43 seconds, ending the Nuggets hopes of a road win.

LA managed to grab the win despite shooting 3-16 night from beyond the three-point line and actually being out-rebounded.

Click here for more Sports News

About YourFINDit

YourFindit Community is a business, music and social networking community. YourFINDit provides members with a wealth of applications that enable them to create an in depth profile within YourFindit. Profiles include an About Me, Background and Lifestyle, Videos, Photo sharing, News, Music, Blogs, unique URL and networking with other members inside the YourFINDit community. YourFindit provides ADit to each member providing them the opportunity to have an exclusive profile (no outside advertising) displaying only banner ads they upload to their pages. Members can run their own ads or give or sell their ad space to advertisers at prices the member sets.

To create your profile sign up and within minutes you too can have your People profile running your ads and building your network with new members daily.

YourFindit is owned and operated by TransWorldNews, Inc. a news and press release distribution service.