NBA Final 4 Rock Equally Hard -- Lakers Step Out First

You never hear the term "Final 4" applied to the NBA conference finalists. That marketing marker is applied to collegiate March Madness.

But this exhilarating post-season, the L.A. Nuggets are in a dead heat with the Denver Lakers, as of midway of Game 3, Western Conference final.

And the Cleveland Magic are in a dead heat with the Orlando Cavaliers, on the strength of King James's miracle 3-pointer with 1 sec. left.

The switch of brand names with the respective cities well illustrates the nonpareil level of neck-in-neck competition.

But soft, a front-runner slowly emergeth.

Denver Nuggets 52, Los Angeles Lakers 48 at halftime.

Lakers are lookin' like a team in transition again, as in finding themselves, not game phase only. Hinges a lot on getting Bynum un-sulky and effective again, particularly being a stalwart defensive presence with blocks and rebounds.

Lakers 61% FT with 3 mins. left in 3rd. Sucks.

81-80 Lakers 7:16 4th -- finally caught Nuggets.

Ferocious Kobe 3-pt. shot with 46.4 secs. remaining, 96-95 Lakers.

Kobe misses second foul shot, 97-95 Lakers. 37.1 secs. left, Nuggets ball.

Arriza theft on inbound pass, fouled, makes 'em both, 99-95 Lakers. with 24.6 left, Billups makes both fouls shots, 99-97, Lakers. Bryant fouled, 22.2. Makes both. 101-97, Lakers. Bryant at line again, 12.4. Makes both. 103-97.

Final score, 103-97, L.A. Lakers, as they show their #1 road warrior grit and take control in the final seconds, closing out a pivotal game against the Denver Nuggets.

The Black Mamba, the stoic Spaniard, the wide-ranging Condor Lamar, slowly re-emerging Bynum D, the hyper-quick Arriza, with his clutch steals on late-game attempted in-bound passes.

The tough-minded hombres are starting to emerge in these playoffs, and they play for L.A. after all. Nuggets got more grit re D-mindedness anchored by former champ Piston-eer Billups.

More but not enough. The sleek snaky Lakers show timely killer O and D fangs.