Los Angeles, CA (My Sportsbook) - Kobe Bryant scored 22 points and dished out eight assists, and the Los Angeles Lakers used a big second half run to move a victory away from a return trip to the NBA Finals with a 103-94 triumph over the Denver Nuggets. Lamar Odom had a spectacular game with 19 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks in a reserve role for the Lakers, who grabbed a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference finals. Game 6 will be in Denver on Friday, when the Lakers can punch their ticket to the title series. Last year, they were beaten in six games by the Boston Celtics. Pau Gasol chipped in 14 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in the win. Statistically speaking, the Lakers have the upper hand. When a series is tied at 2-2 in NBA history, the winner of Game 5 has gone on to take the set 83 percent of the time. Additionally, Lakers coach Phil Jackson is 49-1 in playoff series when holding a series lead of any kind. Also, the Lakers have not lost a 2-2 best-of-seven series when winning Game 5 since the 1969 NBA Finals vs. Boston, a string of 13 straight winning sets. Carmelo Anthony poured in 31 points for the Nuggets, who also received 12 points apiece from Kenyon Martin and Chauncey Billups. Denver, though, was hurt by poor second half shooting. The Nuggets shot 29.3 percent (12-of-41) over the final two quarters, compared to 51.7 percent (15-of-29) for the Lakers. Additionally, the Nuggets went 5-of-21 shooting in the last quarter. Down, 73-66, with just over five minutes left in the third quarter, the Lakers used a 21-3 spurt stretching into the fourth to take control, eventually holding on down the stretch. Shannon Brown started the burst with a slam and finished it by beating the shot clock on a long jumper, giving the hosts an 87-76 cushion with just over eight minutes left. The last time the Lakers played in Denver, Monday night, they lost, 120-101, as the Nuggets converted 37-of-49 free throws. Jackson was critical of the officiating and drew a $25,000 fine. The tables turned two nights later, as the Lakers connected on 26-of-35 foul shots in Game 5, while Denver was 23-of-30. HASH(0x8c09484)