The 2009 Western Conference Finals-Game 5

This game should separate the men from the boys. Game 5s, when a series is tied at 2 apiece, usually do. How bad do the Lakers want it? How mad IS Kobe after Game 4? We're about to find out.

Denver scores first on a Billups 3 pointer.
Ariza to the hole for 2. But Billups is hot early. 6-2, Denver.
Fisher good from 15 feet.
At the first timeout of the game, the Nuggets lead 11-6.
Lakers get a dunk after the timeout.
Great pick by Gasol in the backcourt! Kobe to the hole, no basket, but a foul. Kobe knocks down 2, 11-10, Denver.
Offensive foul on Anthony.
Up and under by Bynum for the dunk! Lakers lead 12-11.
Fisher with a step back basket. Lakers on an 8-0 run. They lead 14-11 at the 5:26 mark of the 1st quarter.
Anthony finishes at the basket and gets fouled. We can't get him going. He missed the free throw.
Fisher with another jump shot. He's 3 for 4. Lakers lead by 3.
Billups ties it.
Nice give-and-go between Gasol and Ariza. Ariza with the layup.
Denver back up by 1.
Another give-and-go between Ariza and Gasol. No basket but a foul. 1 of 2 from the line.
The 1st quarter ends tied at 25.
Odom finally hits inside, and one! 3 point play completed.
Vulacic continues to struggle from the outside.
Odom aggressive to the hole again. No basket, but a foul. Timeout. Denver leads 31-28.
Lamar 1 of 2 from the line.
Walton wide open underneath! Lakers tie it at 31.
Walton, 2 offensive boards and a put back.
Bynum with a little hook.
Timeout with 5:54 to play in the half. The Lakers lead 36-35.
Nuggets in the penalty at the 5:14 mark. Fisher to the line for 2.
Gasol with a beautiful pass to Bynum for the dunk! And one! Free throw no good. 40-38, Lakers.
Anthony ties it.
Nice baseline drive by Fisher to tie it at 42.
Billups picks up his 3rd foul! Kobe to the line after the timeout. Denver up 44-42 with 2:36 to play in the 2nd.
Kobe knocks down both. Tied at 44.
JR Smith with a 3.
Kobe to the hole, and one! Free throw good. Lakers down 2.
Nice lob from Odom to Bryant!
Odom drives in and gives it up to Gasol for the bucket and a foul. Odom with the offensive board and put back after the missed free throw. Lakers down 1.
Anthony to the line.
Denver leads by 3 with 26.1 seconds to play in the half. The Lakers do look good. They are getting this done without a huge scoring effort from Bryant.
Vulacic for 3 to end the half! Game tied at 56.
A good showing by the Laker role players in the first half. It is ALWAYS a good sign when we score this well and Kobe only has 8 points. He will always get his.

The 3rd quarter is under way.
Alleyoop from Fisher to Bryant!
All of sudden we're having trouble controlling the Nuggets. Down 7.
Shannon Brown throws one down over Andersen! Lakers within 3.
3 straight turnovers for the Nuggets. We HAVE to capitalize. And Odom does it with a 3! Tie game.
Billups and Bryant exchange 3s.
The 3rd quarter ends tied at 76.
78-76, Lakers.
Odom with an authoritative dunk, AND ONE! Odom completes the 3 point play. Lakers by 5.
Nene picks up his 5th foul on the offensive end, then picks up a technical. Lakers will be at the line after the timeout, leading 81-76 at the 9:33 mark. Bryant misses the technical free throw. Lakers ball.
Odom in the lane, basket good.
Hard foul, Anthony on Bryant. Kobe hits 2 free throws. Lakers by 9.
11 point lead now off the Brown jumper with the shot clock running down.
Kleiza pulls the Nuggets within 8.
Gasol to the line, knocks down both.
Timeout at the 6:35 mark. The Lakers lead by 10, 91-81.
Nuggets back within 4.
Gasol gets Nene fouled out. Both free throws good.
Anthony hits 2 free throws.
Gasol with a great pass to Ariza on a give-and-go. And one! Ariza completes the 3 point play. Lakers by 7, 3:30 to play.
Gasol with a blocked shot on Anthony!
Lamar to the line. Misses both.
Martin blocked by Odom!
Timeout at the 2:24 mark. The Lakers lead 96-89.
5 point game with 1:15 to play.
Bryant to Odom down low, AND ONE! Odom completes the 3 point play. 99-91, Lakers with 49 seconds to play.
Bryant to the line. Bryant 2 for 2. Lakers by 10 with 43.1 to play.
Fisher answers an Anthony 3 point play with 2 free throws. As the clock runs down, the Lakers lead by 9.
LAKERS WIN!
The final score is 103-94. The Lakers take a 3-2 lead in the series. I expect us to wrap it up in Denver on Friday.