NBA: Denver 99, Los Angeles Lakers 84

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DENVER, May 5 (UPI) -- Ty Lawson ignited Denver to a quick start Friday and the Nuggets held on to down the Los Angeles Lakers 99-84 and claw their way back into the playoff series.

Denver trails 2-1 in the opening-round matchup and will try to even things when it hosts Game 4 Sunday.

The Nuggets outscored the Lakers 30-14 in the opening period and still had a 16-point lead at halftime. Los Angeles closed within six late in the third period, but Denver consistently answered the Lakers down the stretch.

Lawson scored 25 points and JaVale McGee came off the bench to contribute 16. McGee made 8-of-12 shots from the field.

Los Angeles shot just 37 percent from the field and turned the ball over 15 times to only six for the Nuggets.

Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 22 points, but he could make a mere 7-of-23 field goal attempts. Andrew Bynum had 18 points and 13 rebounds.