NBA: LA Lakers 122, Denver 107

LOS ANGELES, April 24 (UPI) -- A brilliant 49-point effort from Kobe Bryant Wednesday allowed the Los Angeles Lakers to pull away for a 122-107 playoff decision over Denver.

The Lakers took a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference quarterfinal series, which will resume in Denver Saturday.

Denver stayed close throughout much of the contest and trailed by only five midway through the final period before the Lakers closed the game with a 24-14 run.

Bryant made 18 of 27 field goal attempts, including five of nine from three-point range. He missed just one of nine free throws and added 10 assists.

Pau Gasol and Luke Walton contributed 18 points each for the Lakers. Gasol had scored 36 in the series opener.

Denver was led by Allen Iverson with 31 points and Carmelo Anthony with 23.

Los Angeles shot 50 percent from the field.