With the Nuggets down 3-1 and Game Five being played in LA, everyone outside the Denver locker room had to believe the team Lakers would seal the series victory Tuesday night at the Staples Center.
But the Nuggs had other thoughts in mind.
The men from Denver were determined to win, which they did against all odds, 102-99.
JaVale McGee was the story of the night, as the youthful bigman dominated down low against the must more seasoned Andrew Bynum.
McGee spun left and right for elegant finger rolls off his freakishly long arms, taking Bynum, Pau Gasol and backup Jordan Hill to school all night.
"McNasty" really came alive in the second half, recording 12 points and six rebounds of his 21 and 14 after the break.
He was all over the rim, boxing out Bynum relentlessly for rebounds, dunking all over him while running down the lane.
On one phenomenal play, McGee grabbed a missed Nuggets shot near the three point line on the wing, spun around to face the hoop and charged it like a mad man to throw down a demonstrative dunk and earn a trip to the line.
And multiple times, including once from Andre Miller beyond half court, McGee effortlessly flushed alley-oops.
After not getting enough time in the first two games of the series, McGee has blossomed, putting up a 15 point, 16 rebound performance in Game Three to go along with this monumental game Tuesday. He's got the true height to battle with Bynum, a true asset that the Nuggets have been lacking for years.
In all, Denver was demonstrative in the painted area, outscoring LA 58-44 in the box.
Yes, Miller played a huge role in this Nuggets win as well, scoring a clutch 24 points to go along with his eight assists.
Miller was his classic old school self, tossing in numerous looks off the glass. He looked like a man possessed for much of the night, exuding leadership with most every move he made.
While Kobe was Kobe, going off for 43 points despite a sluggish start, the Nuggets won by playing team basketball, as five scored in double digits. Arron Afflalo put up a playoff career-high 19, Danilo Gallinari scored 14 and rookie Kenneth Faried nearly recorded a double-double of 10 points and nine boards.
A key to victory was getting out on the break, and Denver won in that department 19-14, running mostly in the first half of the game.
Even George Karl did well to call timeouts to kill the Lakers momentum at times, and his sticking with McGee has really paid off for him and the team.
And in the end, the win means the Nuggets have forced a Game Six in Denver Friday night at 8:30 MT.
A win Friday would force a Game Seven in LA and create even more excitement. But before the Nuggets can get that far, they've got to take care of business at home Thursday.
It sets up for a theatrical Thursday night in the Mile High City in which the baby blue and gold can force a Game Seven.
With Tuesday night's win, no one can deny Denver proved their worth and showed a great deal of heart, now it's up to them to build on this experience with even more in Game Six.
Rich Kurtzman is a freelance journalist. Follow him on twitter and/or facebook for breaking news, interesting insight and link to all his articles on the Nuggets, Broncos, Rockies, and CSU Rams.
