Lakers 105 Nuggets 103

Lakers Pau Gasol celebrates after getting a charging foul called on Nuggets Carmelo Anthony in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals at the Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

The ball gets away from Lakers Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom in the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the NBA Western Conference finals at Staples Center.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Actress Drew Barrymore and a companion cheer on the action courtside during Game 1 of the NBA Western Conference finals at Staples Center.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Trevor Ariza is helped from the floor after defeating the Nuggets in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals at the Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Pau Gasol and Nuggets Nene battle for a rebound in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals at the Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin slams the ball over Lakers center DJ Mbenga in the second half of Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals at the Staples Center.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Andrew Bynum and Nuggets Chris Anderson battle for a rebound in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals at the Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Pau Gasol hugs Kobe Bryant late in the 4th quarter as Nuggets Carmelo Anthony looks on during Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals at the Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Kobe Bryant gets a hug from fan Norm Pattiz after defeating the Nuggets in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals at the Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Kobe Bryant battles for a rebound with Nuggets Carmelo Anthony in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals at the Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Larry David, left, and Spike Lee sit courtside before the start of the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets Western Conference Finals Game 1 at the Staples Center.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers center Pau Gasol is fouled by Nuggets center Nene late in the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals at the Staples Center. Gasol sank the free throws to help lead LA to a 105-103 victory.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Denver Nuggets player Chris Andersen sports a heavily gelled hairdo as he warms up to play the Lakers before Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals at the Staples Center.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Trevor Ariza steals an inbound pass to Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups in the last 30 seconds of Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals at the Staples Center.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is fouled hard by Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin in the waning moments of Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals at the Staples Center. Bryant made the free throws to help seal a 105-103 LA win  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)