Nuggets 106 Lakers 103

Lakers forward Trevor Ariza slams home two points over Nuggets defenders in the second half of game two of the NBA Western Conference finals at Staples Center.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Kobe Bryant bites his jersey after his team was called for a foul against the Nuggets in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at the Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant gets a hand in his face as he drives on the Denver Nuggets in the second half of Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at Staples Center.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Actress Teri Hatcher gets into the action during the first half of Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at Staples Center.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers center Andrew Bynum gets tied up with Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony in the first half during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at Staples Center.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers girls pose for fan photos during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at Staples Center.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Derek Fisher has the ball stripped away by Nuggets Carmelo Anthony in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at the Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers center Pau Gasol reacts as Nuggets center Nene grins when Gasol was called for a kicked ball in the second half of Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at the Staples Center.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Jordan Farmar picks up a loose ball in front of teammate Shannon Brown and Nuggets Anthony Carter and Chris Andersen in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at the Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Pau Gasol has the ball knocked away by Nuggets Keynon Martin in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at the Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

As Pau Gasol and Nuggets Nene battle for the loose ball other Laker players try to call timeout late in the 4th quarter in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at the Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Trevor Ariza wants a foul called after turning the ball over to the Nuggets late in the 4th quarter in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at the Staples Center. The play was called a jump ball.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Andrew Bynum tries to get a shot off against a leaping Dahntay Jones of the Nuggets in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at the Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony drives past Lakers defender Trevor Ariza during the first half of Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at the Staples Center.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers center Andrew Bynum strips the ball from Nuggets center Nene during the first half in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at the Staples Center.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Andrew Bynum is fouled by Nuggets Kenyon Martin while driving to the basket in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at the Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Pau Gasol scrambles for the ball along with Nuggets Chauncey Billups after Kobe Bryant lost the ball in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at the Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Andrew Bynum tries to get a shot off against a leaping Dahntay Jones of the Nuggets in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at the Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)