The LA LAkers are going to the NBA Finals afetr beating the Denver Nuggets 119-92 in Game 6 (4-2)
The LA Lakers are going to the NBA Finals! The Lakers has beaten the Nuggets, 119-92 in Game 6 to clinch the Western Conference finals, 4-2. With precision on offense, with solid defense, with drive and determination, and with Kobe Bryant taking charge, the Lakers took apart the Nuggets and win the series.
Bryant had 35 points, 10 assists and six rebounds. His three-pointer right in the face of J.R. Smith gave the Lakers a 101-82 lead and forced Denver Coach George Karl to call a timeout.
Bryant walked to the Lakers bench with 6:13 left, knowing that the Lakers were headed to the Finals for the second consecutive year.
The Lakers had been called soft when the Boston Celtics manhandled the Lakers in last year’s Finals. Since then, they were determined on getting back, on proving they had what it takes to be champions, especially Bryant, who has won three NBA championships but none since Shaquille O’Neal departed in 2004.
The Lakers will be playing for the NBA championship for the 30th time and seeking to win their 15th title.
Denver has never reached the NBA Finals. It was the first time the Nuggets had been in the conference finals in 24 years.
They lost a close Game 1, won a close Game 2, lost a close Game 3, won Game 4 in a blowout and got blown out in their last two games against the Lakers.
The Lakers opened a lead tonight as big as 29 points, getting double-figure scoring from five players.
Pau Gasol had 20 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, Lamar Odom finished with 20 points and eight rebounds and Trevor Ariza had 17 points, making seven of nine shots, including three of four three-pointers.
Denver was led by Carmelo Anthony with 25 points, but he was just six-for-17 shooting from the field.
Chauncey Billups, who was called for a flagrant foul in the fourth for hitting Gasol in the head, had just 10 points on two-for-seven shooting.
The Lakers will play either the Cleveland Cavaliers or Orlando Magic for the title. The Magic hold a 3-2 lead over the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals and can close out that series Saturday in Orlando.
If the Lakers host the Magic, they will have home-court over Orlando. But the Magic did sweep the two-game, regular-season series from the Lakers.
If the Lakers and Cavaliers meet in the Finals, Cleveland will have home-court advantage. But the Lakers did sweep the two-game regular-season series from the Cavaliers.
Either way, the NBA Finals will start Thursday
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