Kobe, Lakers Rally for Game 1 Victory Over Nuggets

Los Angeles - Kobe Bryant scored 40 points, sank six free throws in the final 30.5 seconds and came up with the game-sealing rebound in the final seconds, as the Lakers rallied to beat Denver, 105-103, in the opener of the Western Conference finals.

Bryant had 18 of his points in the fourth quarter for the top-seeded Lakers, who were coming off a Game 7 win over Houston on Sunday in the conference semifinals and nearly lost against the Nuggets, but rallied from a seven-point deficit in the last period.

Bryant sank all nine of his foul shots in the last quarter. His two from the line with 5.8 seconds left provided a 105-102 margin, but the Lakers then chose to foul J.R. Smith instead of giving up a possible three-point shot.

Smith made the first attempt with 3.2 seconds left, but intentionally missed the second. Bryant got the rebound and threw the ball high into the air to kill the remaining time.

Meanwhile, Smith was writhing in pain on the court after taking an awkward fall going for the offensive rebound. He later walked off under his own power.

Carmelo Anthony scored 39 for the Nuggets, who are in the conference finals for the first time since 1985 when they lost to the Lakers in five games. Los Angeles went on to win the NBA championship that season, beating Boston.

Game 2 of the best-of-seven set is Thursday, again at the Staples Center.

05/20 00:08:04 ET

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