The 2009 Western Conference Finals-Game 3

Tonight's game, along with game 4, will be played in Denver. The Nuggets have stolen home-court advantage but with a win tonight, the Lakers will grab it right back.

Here we go!

Our play-by-play was put on hold by company. They're still here, but they don't mind if I talk and type.

The Lakers thus far have looked pretty bad on defense, and worse from the free throw line. Yet, we find ourselves down only 3 with 2:21 to play in the half.
Another shot missed by Derek Fisher. The miss is compounded by a cheap foul on Odom.
Good shot, Kobe. Put 'em on your back, boy!
Anthony continues to look good. 48-43, Denver with just over a minute to go in the 2nd quarter.
Lakers get a rare fast break opportunity tonight. Ariza doesn't finish, but draws the foul. He hits one. 48-44 now.
Nuggets come right back. 50-44.
Fast break for the Nuggets. 52-44.
Ariza 3 pointer. 52-47. 7.9 seconds to play in the half.
Lakers to the line for one. Nuggets last shot of the half misses. The halftime score, Nuggets 52, Lakers 48. All things considered,---playing in Denver, silly turnovers, mediocrity at the free throw line---I feel good about only being down 4.

Lakers open the 3rd with a Bynum bucket and a Kobe fastbreak. Game is tied.
After going down by 4, the Lakers are feeding Bynum in the post. He gets to the line and hits one. 56-53 Nuggets.
Kobe gets shaken up after landing awkwardly following getting his shot blocked.
Another Laker turnover resulting in a Bryant foul. Nuggets at the line. Hits both. 58-53.
Another easy Nugget basket to make it 60-53. Timeout Lakers.
Kobe hits a 3 out of the timeout. 60-56.
Bynum blocks Carmelo's shot.
D-Fish misses again, from 3. Gotta get him going.
We get another stop. Kobe fouled on the other end. Out on the side. Ariza to the hole, gets hit, but no foul call.
Bryant wide open down the lane, gets pushed with two hands from behind and gets a foul but no flagrant. Incredible.
Wow! Martin hits Fisher in the chest while the players await a jump ball, and Fisher gets called for the tech! I'm really getting fed up with how one sided the calls have been, even in Los Angeles! By the way, the score is 64-58 Nuggets.
Bynum one of two at the line. We have missed TEN free throws tonight.
Gasol hits BOTH free throws. Nuggets by 3.
Beautiful alleyoop, Walton to Bryant, and one! Kobe ties it at 64.
Ariza is headed to the locker room. I missed how he got hurt.
Derek is really struggling with his shot.
Gasol to the line. Missed the first. Hits the second. 66-65.
2:21 to play in the 3rd. Lakers down 68-65.
Kobe to the line. Hits the first. Hits both. Lakers down 1.
JR Smith 3. Nugget technical. Bryant hits the foul shot. Lakers down 3.
Nuggets now by 5. We cannot track down a loose ball.
Sasha Vulacic finally hits a 3. Billups come right back with one of his own. My goodness.
Smith hits a 3 at the quarter buzzer, and picks up a technical for taunting. But at the end of 3, we are down 8.
Kobe opens the 4th hitting the technical free throw. 79-72.
Ariza is back.
Odom takes Anderson down low for the bucket. 79-74.
Jordan Farmar with two stupid decisions. He left his feet for a 3, and came down without releasing the ball resulting in a travel. To compound it, he throws the ball in the stands and gets a technical! For crying out loud!
Gasol cuts it to 2 from the line.
Ariza gives the Lakers their first lead with a 3! 81-80 at the 7:06 mark.
We put 'Melo on the line, 1 of 2, tied at 81.
Nice Kobe fade-away. Lakers by 2. Nuggets right back to tie.
Nuggets by 2.
Ariza another 3! Lakers by 1.
Billups going to the line for a four point play. Wow.... Denver by 3.
Gasol with a bucket. 1 point game.
Gasol again! Lakers by 1.
Nuggets by 1.
Bryant, and one! Free throw, missed. Lakers by 1.
Billups missed a 3. Lakers get the rebound and have a 1 point lead with 2:46 left in the game.
Kobe from deep, misses.
Carmelo to the line. Hits both, Nuggets by 1.
Fisher drives, but called for the charge.
Billups missed a 3, Martin over the back of Odom. Lamar to the line. Hits one. Tied at 93.
Smith puts the Nuggets up by 2.
Bryant for 3!
Lakers get a stop. Timeout. Lakers lead 96-95 with 1:08 to play.
Bryant taking Smith baseline, draws the foul. Knocks down one free throw, Lakers by 2. 37.1 seconds to play.
Whoa! Nuggets close to a five second violation trying to inbound. They get the timeout.
Ariza steals the pass! Gets fouled. Anthony fouled out! Ariza hits both free throws to give the Lakers a 4 point lead.
Odom bumps Billups. He'll shoot free throws. Hits both.
Lakers inbound to Bryant with 24.6 to play. Nuggets send him to the line with 22.2 to play. Kobe hits both free throws. 4 point Lakers lead.
Nuggets miss a 3, ball out of bounds to the Lakers.
Inbound to Kobe. Foul. Bryant hits both. Lakers by 6.
Time runs out on the Nuggets possession. Lakers win!
Kobe is exhausted!

The Lakers have recaptured home-court advantage with a 103-97 victory in Denver. Game 4 on Monday.