27 May 2009

Nuggets down Lakers to even series

7:29 am on 27 May 2009

Denver's beaten the Los Angeles Lakers 120-101 to even their National Basketball Association Western Conference final at two games apiece.

Chauncey Billups scored 24 points and a determined Denver made sure they didn't let another late lead get away against Kobe Bryant's Lakers.

Bryant scored a game-high 34 points, while Pau Gasol scored 21 points with 10 rebounds for Los Angeles.

But the Lakers' run of eight straight play-off victories in Denver was halted with Bryant saying the home side were better in all facets of the game.

The Lakers host game five of the best-of-seven series on Thursday. Whoever wins game five usually takes the series.