Lakers win Game 6 over Lakers 119 Nuggets 92

In a season of redemption, where the Lakers decided from day one to finish off what they couldn't a year ago, another authoritative step was taken toward an NBA championship. Those who questioned the Lakers' resolve were quieted. Those who wondered if they were too fatigued now know the answer.Those who didn't think the Lakers could handle the physical, unpredictable Denver Nuggets witnessed a thorough 119-92 series-clinching victory in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals Friday at Pepsi Center. Game 1 of the NBA Finals begins Thursday against either Orlando or Cleveland. The Lakers went 2-0 against Cleveland and 0-2 against Orlando in the regular season, but they would have home-court advantage against Orlando. Kobe Bryant had 35 points and 10 assists in a dominant effort Friday that brought home the franchise's 30th conference championship. James Worthy then handed a silver trophy to Lakers General Manger Mitch Kupchak, amid a reaction by the players that would be called appreciative rather than excitable or declarative.Once they were done with the brief ceremony, the Lakers removed the T-shirts and caps that proclaimed them conference champions. Andrew Bynum, who missed this part last season because of a knee injury, was the only one who wore his new merchandise out to the team bus. The victory marked the second consecutive time the Lakers advanced to the NBA Finals, though they never came home with the Larry O'Brien trophy last season, losing to Boston in six games. "It's good to be here, but it's not our goal," said forward Trevor Ariza, who had 17 points on seven-for-nine shooting. "It was just a step. I know we'll be happy when we get that ring." There were plenty who weren't sure the Lakers would have a chance after they sleepwalked their way through a seven-game series against Houston in the conference semifinals. But they took everything the Nuggets threw at them -- flagrant fouls, technical fouls and a maze of tattoos and attitude -- and emerged relatively unscathed. Bryant said this playoff journey through the West, which took 18 games, wasn't comparable to last season's breezy stroll that required only 15."Much, much tougher," he said. "Much more physical. Mentally challenging for us. But we gained valuable experience, went through a roller coaster of emotions." CONTINUE READING..