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Bynum, who blamed his scoreless first half 48 hours earlier on failing to properly prepare in the pregame, was much more active early on, scoring 11 in the first half, which ended with the Lakers trailing 51-45.
The game was briefly delayed with 1:10 left in the first half when a female fan started walking across the court while the Nuggets were setting up a play. The woman walked several steps onto the court as Lawson brought the ball past halfcourt. Officials blew the whistle to stop the play and the woman was escorted away by security.
The woman, identified as 20-year-old Savannah McMillan-Christmas of Denver, was cited for trespassing.
Al Harrington scored nine points in his return to the Nuggets' lineup. He started out with a clear face mask protecting his nose that was broken Friday night by an inadvertent elbow from Bynum, but he ditched the mask in a matter of minutes.
Harrington missed his first six shots but then sank four straight, including a 3-pointer that put the Nuggets ahead 76-75 early in the fourth quarter.
This is the 11th time the Nuggets have faced a 3-1 deficit and they've never overcome such a deficit to win a series.
"Oh, it's going to be difficult, no question about it," said Arron Afflalo. "We have to get two on their home floor. Game 5 on their home floor would give some life to this series if we're able to win it."
Karl figures his young team has grown a lot over the last week and isn't ready to concede the loaded Lakers stand all that much taller than his hodgepodge of hustling ballers.
"I don't think it's an impossible challenge," Karl said. "I think it's a great challenge for this young team. For me, I've been blessed with having great runs in the playoffs and I think I probably have one or two more left in me in my lifetime. I'd like to see it come this year."
NOTES: Bryant got a handshake from Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey as he walked off the floor after the game. ... The Nuggets have lost 18 straight playoff games when scoring fewer than 90 points. ... Denver was 3 for 19 from long range, their fewest conversions and lowest percentage in a playoff game since April 30, 2007, when they went 2 for 16 against San Antonio. .. The starters for both teams combined to go 7-for-14 from the free throw line. ... The Lakers have never lost consecutive playoff games in Denver.
[Associated Press;
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