Kobe Bryant scored 41 points as the Los Angeles beat Denver 103-97, snapping the Nuggets' 16-game home win streak and taking a 2-1 series lead in NBA Western Conference finals playoff.

Bryant hit a key three pointer which gave the Los Angeles a one-point lead with just over a minute remaining in game three.

Pau Gasol added 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Trevor Ariza scored 16 for Los Angeles who took back home court advantage.

Saturday's loss was Denver's first at home since March 9. Carmelo Anthony scored 18 of his 21 points in the first half for Denver.

"For the most part we were winning the game," said Anthony, who fouled out in the final minute. "The rebounds were even, the assists were even. Gasol was the key for them tonight."

The Nuggets led for the majority of the game before allowing the Lakers to take control late.

Ariza stole a Kenyon Martin inbounds pass and then was fouled by Anthony with 36 seconds remaining. Ariza sank both foul shots to give the Lakers a 99-95 lead.

Despite a booking blunder, the Nuggets will get to host game four at the Pepsi Center arena. Denver doubled booked their arena and had to work out last-minute deal with an American professional wrestling tour to allow the NBA game to go ahead.

The World Wrestling Entertainment moved their event to Los Angeles' Staples Center arena as a compromise.

Chauncey Billups had 18 points, seven assists and six rebounds for the Nuggets who are playing in their first conference final home game in two dozen years.

Denver shot just five-of-22 from the field in the final 12 minutes.

The Lakers shot nine-of-15 from the field in the fourth and rallied from an eight-point deficit to start the final quarter.

(Xinhua News Agency May 24, 2009)