DENVER, (Reuters) – Kobe Bryant scored 41 points,  including a key late three-pointer, to lift the Los Angeles  Lakers to a 103-97 win over the Denver Nuggets and a 2-1 lead  in the Western Conference finals series on Saturday.

Bryant’s big shot with just over a minute left put the  Lakers ahead for good at 96-95 and he sealed the victory by  making five of six free throws.

“I had to put a little bit more into it, and it went in,”  Bryant told reporters about his late shot. “Everybody is  against you on the road, everybody wants you to lose.

“You hit a shot like that and everybody goes quiet. It  feels good.”

The Nuggets, who upset the Lakers in Game Two at Staples  Center, will now have to pick themselves up for Game Four of  the best-of-seven series in Denver today.

The Lakers trailed 79-71 after three quarters, but the  Nuggets could not contain Bryant in the fourth quarter as the  visitors out-scored the hosts 32-18 in the final 12 minutes.

“We caught a little momentum and out-scored them in the  fourth quarter,” Los Angeles coach Phil Jackson said. “We made  the big plays down the stretch.

“It was a big effort tonight by Kobe, although it was a  kind of a ragged game in many aspects.”

The Nuggets led for most of the game but had trouble  staying disciplined in the second half, with both Carmelo  Anthony and Kenyon Martin fouling out. Five technical fouls  were called in the physical affair.

Denver had won 16 straight games at home, but their first  loss in Denver since March 8 restores home court advantage to  the favoured Lakers.

“We didn’t have any offensive leader in the game,” Denver  coach George Karl said. “Every playoff series has its own  personality and now we have to win in Los Angeles. It’s a good  challenge for us.”

Anthony scored 21 points for the Nuggets, but he ran into  foul trouble early and scored just three second half points.

Anthony wound up shooting 4-for-13, his worst showing of the  playoffs.

Lakers forward Trevor Ariza kept Anthony in check for most  of the last three quarters after the Nuggets star scored 14  first quarter points.

“I missed a couple of shots I was making earlier,” Anthony  said. “We all have to defend better down the stretch.

“They won the game and played a great game tonight. Our  confidence is still high as a team and we’ll come back on  Monday.”