Nuggets beat Lakers 106-103 in Game 2

[May 22, 2009]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Kenyon Martin hit a layup in traffic with 29 seconds left and Chauncey Billups made 3 of 4 free throws to give the Denver Nuggets a 106-103 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night to even the Western Conference finals.

The win in Game 2 ended the Lakers' 24-year playoff dominance of the Nuggets.

Los Angeles owned an 11-0 record over the Nuggets dating to 1985, the second-longest postseason winning streak against one team in NBA history.

Carmelo Anthony scored 34 points, Billups had 27 and Linas Kleiza added 16 for the Nuggets.

Kobe Bryant had 32 points, Trevor Ariza scored a career playoff-high 20 and Pau Gasol 17 points and 17 rebounds for the Lakers.

[Associated Press; By BETH HARRIS]

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