Kobe Bryant scored 32 points, but wasn't able to lead the Lakers past Denver in Game 2.

Orlando won in Cleveland.

So Denver decided to take one in Los Angeles.

While everyone seemingly wants to see the Lakers and Cavaliers meet in the NBA Finals so LeBron James and Kobe Bryant can duel it out, the Magic and Nuggets have other ideas.

After Orlando won Game 1 at Cleveland on Wednesday night, Denver rallied to defeat the Lakers in Game 2 Thursday, 106-103, to even the Western Conference finals series at 1-1 heading into Saturday’s Game 3 at Denver.

Having stolen home court from the Lakers, the Nuggets have a chance to take command of the series in Game 3 and 4 at home.

It’s clear Denver is more physical than the Lakers, but what’s not certain is if the Nuggets can continue to play this well under extreme pressure.

Final score: Orlando Magic 107, Cleveland Cavaliers 106

Two of game's best - LeBron James and Dwight Howard - went head to head in Orlando's Game 1 win Wednsday night.

Analysis: Orlando came back from a 15-point halftime deficit to hand the Cavs their first playoff loss. Rashard Lewis’ 3-pointer with 14.7 seconds left won it for the Magic, who won despite LeBron James scoring a career playoff high 49 points. Orlando hit clutch shots while Cleveland leaned too much on James, who battled fatigued and cramped up after the game.

The go-getter: Got to go with Lewis (Orlando). He scored 17 of his 22 points in the second half including the game winner. Dwight Howard, who broke the shot clock with a two-handed power dunk in the first quarter, was also spectacular in scoring 30 points and grabbing 13 rebounds before fouling out.
The brick-layer: Delonte West (Cleveland) shot 4-of-13 from the field for 11 points. Now he hit a big 3-pointer late to put Cleveland ahead, 103-102, with 40.8 seconds left, but missed a 3-pointer that would have given the Cavs the lead with 4.9 seconds left.
The stunning stats: James and Anderson Varejao shot a combined 26-of-38 from the field. The rest of the team shot 17-of-50.
The play: Called the X factor by James, Lewis rose up over Varejao to hit the game-winning shot.

What’s next: Game 2 Friday at Cleveland, 8:30 p.m.
What to expect: Many have asked how would Cleveland respond to adversity. After losing Wednesday, we will find out just how tough the Cavaliers are. Another thing to look for is to see if Cleveland plays with more offensive efficiency and if Orlando can maintain the inside-outside balance it had in Game 1.

Ron Artest let Kobe Bryant know he's not the one to mess with Wednesday night.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets turned the intensity up a notch in Game 2.

High volume.

From late in the third quarter to the end of the Lakers’ 111-98 win to tie the series Wednesday night in Los Angeles, the following plays happened in this order.

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What a game.

Ben Gordon was sensational. 42 points. Looked like my man Andrew Toney when he used to have his way with Boston back in the 1980s while with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Ray Allen brought the crowd to its feet after hitting the game winner over Joakim Noah (13) Monday.

He hit some shots that had me getting off the couch shouting, “MY GOODNESS!!.” When he’s hot, Gordon is a bad boy.

However, Ray Allen will go down as the hero of Boston’s 118-115 win in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first-round series tonight.

He hit the game-winning shot, a 3-pointer, with two seconds left over Chicago forward Joakim Noah. Just rose up off that screen and splashed it in Noah’s face.

You have to give Allen credit. He goes 1-of-12 in Game 1. Scored only two points in the first half of Game 2, but exploded for 28 in the second half tonight.

The Celtics tied the series, 1-1, but the defending NBA champions can’t feel safe about what’s going on. Rajon Rondo injured his ankle. Leon Powe missed the second half with a knee injury.

They’re already without Kevin Garnett. Paul Pierce is having to really exert himself and looked really fatigued late in Game 2. The Bulls are young, hungry and should play even better at home in Game 3 and 4.

This is a series.