The Tribune

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Denver Nuggets ran the court and drove the lane with all the intensity they lacked in their playoff opener. They double-teamed Andrew Bynum, harassed Pau Gasol and scored relentlessly in the paint. Nope, still not enough to beat Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. Not even enough to get a lead. Bryant scored 38 points, Bynum followed up his triple-double with a career playoff-high 27 points and nine rebounds, and the Lakers weathered Denver's late rally for a 104-100 victory Tuesday night, taking a 2-0 series lead. Gasol had 13 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for the third-seeded Lakers, who still haven't trailed in two games despite several dicey moments in Game 2. They survived a much-improved effort by the Nuggets and Ty Lawson, who scored 25 points and led the fourth-quarter charge. Bryant was too sharp in his 83rd career 30-point playoff game, more than anybody except Michael Jordan. After last season's second-round ouster in their failed quest for a three-peat, Bryant and his teammates are healthier and happier -- and they've been too much for Denver. "I think we're just playing much better," Bryant said. "It's tough to play against us, because there's legitimately three guys you have to double-team." Game 3 is Friday in Denver.