Denver Nuggets Vs Los Angeles Lakers Tickets - Nuggets Vs Lakers Tickets

`The win wasn't important for me, it was important for the team,'' Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said. ``But getting the win is twice as nice.''

Lakers Kobe Lakers Kobe Bryant, who scored eight of his 33 points in overtime, swished home the game-winner, then ran with clenched fist to the other end of the court, chest-bumping with teammate Los Angeles Lakers Devean George to celebrate his biggest shot of this very young season.

After a timeout, Denver Nuggets Voshon Lenard had a good look at a 3-pointer at the buzzer, but it missed. Lakers Coach Phil Jackson walked off the bench with a smile and pointed toward a group of Lakers fans who staked out the corner of the Pepsi Center

Lakers Kobe Bryant's big shot was his second chance at a game-winner.

After trailing 89-84 late in regulation, the Lakers scored five straight points and got the ball back. Lakers Kobe Bryant went one-on-one with Denver Nuggets Greg Buckner and had a decent look at a long jumper, but it rimmed off at the buzzer and set the stage for overtime.

At the end of the overtime, Los Angeles Lakers' original play was for the shot to go to center The Los Angeles Lakers Kwame Brown, who had a mismatch on Denver Nuggets Eduardo Najera. Los Angeles Lakers Brown missed the shot, though, and when Lakers Kobe Bryant won the fight for the rebound, there was little doubt who was taking the next shot.

``He got a good shot on the move and does what he does great - shooting those kinds of shots when he's under duress,'' Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said.

The last regular-season game Lakers Coach Phil Jackson coached for Lakers provided a very similar ending. With a chance to win the Pacific Division and the second seed in the West, Lakers Kobe Bryant hit a leaning 3-pointer from the top of the key to send a game against Portland into overtime. He then hit the game-winning 3-pointer in the second overtime to give the Lakers the division.

This team is much different, though.

Helping the effort on this night was newly acquired point guard Smush Parker, who finished with 20 points and six assists. Lamar Odom had eight points, nine rebounds and seven assists.

Marcus Camby led Denver Nuggets with 19 points and 14 rebounds before fouling out in overtime. Denver Nuggets Carmelo Anthony also fouled out in the extra period. Denver Nuggets Carmelo Anthony finished with 16 points on a frustrating 6-for-17 shooting night.

`I kind of wanted to blame it on myself,'' Anthony said of the loss.

The finish for Los Angeles couldn't have been any more dramatic or perfect given the story line - Lakers Coach Phil Jackson returning to the team he led to three championships after a year off to coach Lakers Kobe Bryant, the player with whom he didn't always get along.

The Lakers missed the playoffs for the first time since 1994 last season, and when they beckoned Lakers Coach Phil Jackson back, Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Lakers Kobe Bryant and Lakers Coach Phil Jackson appeared to put their differences aside. Not much was expected of the Lakers this season, but on the first night, they came out ahead in what is supposed to be a difficult place to win this season.

``It was a big game for us,'' Lakers Kobe Bryant said. ``The Los Angeles Lakers are a young team and we had to battle back to get the win.''

On the other bench, Denver Nuggets assistant Scott Brooks fell to 0-2 in his stint as an interim replacement for Denver Nuggets George Karl, who served the second game of a two-game suspension.

The Denver Nuggets probably could have used Karl's expertise in this one, to say nothing of power forward Nene, who injured his knee Tuesday night in Denver Nuggets's opener and will probably miss the rest of the season.

Denver Nuggets Camby, Denver Nuggets Anthony and Denver Nuggets Kenyon Martin played most of the night in foul trouble and didn't take full advantage of the matchups with Los Angeles' less-talented frontcourt.

``It was frustrating. It was a game we should have won,'' Camby said. ``You have to give those guys credit.''

Nobody gets more credit than Lakers Kobe Bryant.

Demanding the ball, jawing with refs, ignoring the constant boos that rained down, he was a picture of confidence. He went 13-for-28 and also finished with five rebounds and four assists.

Surprisingly, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson didn't draw the final play up for him, although Lakers Kobe Bryant said he didn't take it as an insult.

``He's done that in the past where the opposition is expecting something,'' Lakers Kobe Bryant said. ``He trusts me. He knows when the play breaks down I will follow my way to the ball. He knows that.''

Indeed, Lakers Kobe Bryant got the ball, got his shot and Lakers Coach Phil Jackson walked away a winner in his second debut with L.A.