LOS ANGELES (AP): Kenyon Martin hit a lay-up and Chauncey Billups made three of four free throws over the last 30 seconds, as the Denver Nuggets stormed home to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 106-103 on Thursday, levelling their NBA Western Conference finals series 1-1.

The defeat ended a run of 11 straight post-season losses by the Nuggets to the Lakers, dating back to 1985.

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.

For Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant had 32 points, including making all 10 of his free throws, Trevor Ariza scored a career play-off-high 20 points and Pau Gasol 17 points and 17 rebounds.

tough on the road

"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 One."

Game Three is today in Denver.

"This is going to be a long series," Denver coach George Karl said.

The Nuggets, whose poor free throw shooting caused a two-point loss in Game One, made 17 consecutive foul shots until Billups missed one with four seconds remaining. He hit the second to seal the victory.

Derek Fisher launched a three-point attempt to tie the game from the right corner, but missed as time expired.

With the game tied 101-101, Martin made the lay-up off Nene's assist that gave the Nuggets the lead for good.

Bryant dribbled upcourt and got into traffic, with Nene tipping the ball away to earn a jump ball with 18 seconds left. Gasol controlled the tip to Ariza, but the ball squirted away and Fisher fouled Billups. He made both for a 105-101 lead. Martin fouled Gasol, who made both before Billups got fouled.

The Lakers were shaky on free throws in the fourth, making nine of 14, while Denver didn't blink at the line.