Nuggets let Game 5 slip away in Lakerland, head back to Denver down 3-2

May 28, 2:31 AMDenver Nuggets ExaminerMike Wolf

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Kleiza's L.A. magic couldn't save the Nuggets in Game 6. AP

To continue with the Batman theme I explored in my Game 4 recap, seeing Jack Nicholson in a purple top for the first time since his role as the Joker in Tim Burton's "Batman" adaptation -- like his team, he steals the show toward the end --  was downright terrifying.  Nicholson rarely dons team colors in the courtside seat he's occupied since "The Shining."  This was the first sign that game 5 was not going Denver's way, despite the score. 

The Lakers won the fourth quarter, and the game by nine 103-94.  They lead the series 3-2. 

The second ominous sign was an agitated and worn-out Kobe Bryant, who seemed content to let his teammates carry the load -- not a good sign for Denver.  This is the Lakers team that the Nuggets, Cavs and Magic are scared of.  Passing like crazy (25 assists), making easy shots and heeding Pau Gasol's suggestion to get the "inside game" going (L.A. scored 54 points in the paint to the Nuggets' 36), this team reminds me of the early-regular season Lake-show who beat teams one of three ways:

• By breaking them down with depth in the first three quarters to ensure a blow-out and rest for Kobe Bryant in the fourth. 
• By playing just well enough for Bryant to win the game with four or five ridiculous shots in the last three minutes.
• Overwhelming you with Gasol, Bynum and Odom until you realized that Kobe had 28 points in 28 minutes.

What's disconcerting to Nuggets fans is how the Lakers won Game 5 even though they couldn't shoot threes (3-16, 18.8 percent), got outrebounded (43-42) and needed only 22 points (1-6 on threes) from Catwoman Bryant.  Hold on, the texts are flying through the air like ill-advised threes.  Here's a sampling of texts sent to me by Nuggets fans all over the world:

• "It's over.  We blew it." 
• "Melo sat out too long!"
• "We're better than them."
• "I can't take it anymore."
• "Quit calling Kobe 'Catwoman' dip#$%^."

Allow me to talk you off the ledge, Nuggets fans.  I'll use the method where you talk to the person softly while someone else nestles a safety-catcher into place --

The Lakers haven't played as well as they did in Game 5 for weeks and probably won't again in the next two games.
9.3 times out of 10, the better team wins a 7-game series. 
Game 6 is at home and I don't see this team losing at home for the last game of the season.
The Nuggets have realized that they have to pass the ball effectively to win.  Unselfish is the only way they can play.  BTW texters and twits, if they haven't figure that out yet, they don't deserve to win.

Wait, don't jump!  I'm not done!

"It wouldn't be the first time the referees have sent the Lakers to the Finaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaals!"

<Hits safety net, sighs>