KOBE BRYANT scored 49 points as the Lakers beat the Nuggets 122-107 in Los Angles on Wednesday to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.

    “He’s one of those players that you don’t really want to make mad,” teammate Lamar Odom said. “He can make shots from anywhere with people on him. You never want to wake a sleeping giant. He can hit shots on anybody, on a number of defenders anywhere on the floor.”

    Bryant shot just 9-for-26 in scoring 32 points in Game 1. He went 18-for-27 in Game 2.

    Pau Gasol added 18 points and 10 rebounds and Luke Walton scored 18 points for the Lakers. Odom, hampered by foul trouble throughout the second half, was held to four points, four rebounds and six assists, but in the end it didn’t matter.

    Carmelo Anthony added 23 points, J.R. Smith had a career playoff high 21 and Marcus Camby had 17 rebounds and four blocked shots for Denver. Martin, who fouled out with 5:47 remaining, scored 10 points.

    The Lakers outscored Denver 14-4 to start the second quarter for a 47-36 lead. Bryant had 25 points in the first half, which ended with Los Angeles on top 59-49.

    (SD-Agencies)     

Other playoff results

Philadelphia 88

Detroit 105

Series tied 1-1

Atlanta 77

Boston 96

Celtics lead series 2-0