Bad Refs, eh?

I've got a secret. Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals was determined by basketball players-- one team scored more points than the other. No, referees did not determine the outcome. Derek Fisher still had a chance to force overtime with a three pointer.
Yes, you can argue some borderline calls went against the home team. Perhaps they should have called a violation on the jump ball. But you could also argue that the Nuggets got hosed when the refs matched Billups against Gasol instead of Nene--even though Nene got there first to the loose ball.

Instead, the Lakers let the game slip away. Denver did a good job hitting free throws and locking down the non-Kobes, who over the last 7 minutes of the game were a combined 0-4 with 4 turnovers. Don't think you can blame the zebras for that. But shhhh. Don't tell anyone. I wouldn't want to ruin a Laker fan's day with reality.