LOS ANGELES — Similar game, different ending for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Their 24-year playoff dominance of the Denver Nuggets dissipated over the final 29 seconds of the fourth quarter in the second down-to-the-wire game in the Western Conference finals.

That's when Kenyon Martin hit a layup in traffic and Chauncey Billups made 3 of 4 free throws to give Denver a 106-103 victory in Game 2 last night to even the series.

"It's going to be a long series," Nuggets coach George Karl said.

It was Denver's first playoff win against Los Angeles since 1985, a span of 11 games, the second-longest postseason winning streak against one team in NBA history.

"There was just a demand that we had to win this game," Karl said. "There was an inner spirit. We're a much more smart, mentally tough team than you look at last year and what we are now. It's a great win."

Carmelo Anthony had 34 points and 14 rebounds, Billups had 27 points and 16 rebounds and Linas Kleiza added 16 points for the Nuggets. Nene finished with six points, nine rebounds and six assists.

"To get one on the road is always tough. We came in and got it," Anthony said. "We're mentally tough and we showed that in this game coming off the loss that we gave away in Game 1."

Anthony twisted his ankle in the game, but he said he would be fine for Game 3 tomorrow in Denver.

Kobe Bryant had 32 points, including making all 10 of his free throws, Trevor Ariza scored a career playoff-high 20 points and Pau Gasol had 17 points and 17 rebounds for the Lakers, who dropped to 7-2 at Staples Center this postseason.

"They have home court advantage now. Now it's time to go to Denver, see if we can do the same," Bryant said. "We're not the best road team in the NBA for no reason."

The Nuggets recovered from poor free-throw shooting in a two-point loss in Game 1 to make 17 consecutive foul shots until Billups missed one with 4 seconds remaining. He made the second for the three-point lead.

"I want to kill Chauncey for missing that free throw," Karl said.

Derek Fisher launched a 3-pointer from the right corner that Nene got a piece of as time expired.

"Nene had a great contest," Billups said. "I don't think Fisher got a good chance to get a good look on the shot."

DENVER 23 31 26 26 — 106

L.A. LAKERS 31 24 26 22 — 103

DENVER—Anthony 12-29 10-14 34, Martin 7-10 2-2 16, Nene 2-5 2-3 6, Billups 6-15 13-16 27, Jones 1-4 0-0 2, Smith 1-6 0-0 3, Andersen 1-2 0-0 2, Kleiza 5-8 2-2 16, Carter 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 35-79 29-37 106.

L.A. LAKERS—Ariza 6-7 6-8 20, Gasol 5-8 7-10 17, Bynum 4-8 1-3 9, Fisher 1-9 0-0 3, Bryant 10-20 10-10 32, Odom 4-9 2-2 10, Vujacic 0-4 0-0 0, Walton 1-3 0-0 2, Brown 3-8 1-2 8, Farmar 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 35-77 27-35 103.

3-Point Goals—Denver 7-21 (Kleiza 4-7, Billups 2-4, Smith 1-4, Anthony 0-6), L.A. Lakers 6-15 (Ariza 2-2, Bryant 2-4, Brown 1-1, Fisher 1-5, Vujacic 0-1, Odom 0-1, Walton 0-1). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Denver 52 (Anthony, Nene 9), L.A. Lakers 50 (Gasol 17). Assists—Denver 20 (Nene 6), L.A. Lakers 21 (Walton 4). Total Fouls—Denver 29, L.A. Lakers 27. Technicals—Billups, Martin, Gasol. A—18,997 (18,997).

CONFERENCE FINALS

(Best-of-7; x-if necessary; Hawai'i times)

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Cleveland vs. Orlando

Orlando leads series 1-0

May 20: Orlando 107, Cleveland 106, Today: Orlando at Cleveland, 2:30 p.m.

Sunday: Cleveland at Orlando, 2:30 p.m.

May 26: Cleveland at Orlando, 2:30 p.m.

x-May 28: Orlando at Cleveland, 2:30 p.m.

x-May 30: Cleveland at Orlando, 2:30 p.m.

x-June 1: Orlando at Cleveland, 2:30 p.m.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

L.A. Lakers vs. Denver

Series tied 1-1

May 19: L.A. Lakers 105, Denver 103, Yesterday: Denver 106, L.A. Lakers 103

Tomorrow: L.A. Lakers at Denver, 2:30 p.m.

May 25: L.A. Lakers at Denver, 3 p.m.

x-May 27: Denver at L.A. Lakers, 3 p.m.

x-May 29: L.A. Lakers at Denver, 3 p.m.

x-May 31: Denver at L.A. Lakers, 2:30 p.m.

NBA FINALS

(Best-of-7)

TBD