Lakers vs. Nuggets, Game 7

Lakers power forward Pau Gasol, who finished with 23 points, 17 rebounds and six assists, reacts to a basket late in the fourth quarter of Game 7 on Saturday night at Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

With the final seconds ticking away, the Lakers begin to celebrate while point guard Ty Lawson and the Nuggets prepare to exit the Staples Center court on Saturday night.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers power forward Pau Gasol blocks a shot by Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson in the fourth quarter of Game 7 on Saturday night at Staples Center.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Metta World Peace, who finished with 15 points in his first game back from suspension, watches his three-pointer over Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari during Game 7 on Saturday night at Staples Center.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers power forward Pau Gasol reacts to a missed shot although he was fouled by Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried during Game 7 of their playoff series last spring.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers point guard Steve Blake tries to watch his three-point shot after falling to the court during Game 7 on Saturday night at Staples Center.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers power forward Pau Gasol is fouled by Nuggets center Timofey Mozgov, left, as he tries to score against Mozgov and forward Kenneth Faried during Game 7 on Saturday night at Staples Center.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, who scored 17 points, picks himself off the court after knocking down a three-point shot against the Nuggets in Game 7 on Saturday night at Staples Center.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers power forward Pau Gasol dives for a loose ball in a scramble with Nuggets forwards Corey Brewer, left, and Al Harrington during Game 7 on Saturday night at Staples Center.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers point guard Steve Blake, who made five of six three-pointers to finish with 19 points, strips the ball from Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson during Game 7 on Saturday night at Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Metta World Peace sends Nuggets center JaVale McGee to the court with a rejection during Game 7 on Saturday night at Staples Center.   (Wally Skali / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers power forward Pau Gasol gets tangled with Nuggets forward Corey Brewer while going after a loose ball in Game 7 on Saturday night at Staples Center.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers center Andrew Bynum blocks a shot by Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari in the second half of Game 7 on Saturday night at Staples Center.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers power forward Pau Gasol reacts after scoring just before halftime against the Nuggets in Game 7 on Saturday night at Staples Center.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers center Andrew Bynum dunks over Nuggets center Timofey Mozgov in the first half of Game 7 on Saturday night at Staples Center.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant gives a high-five to power forward Pau Gasol, who scored and drew a foul against the Nuggets in the first half Saturday night at Staples Center.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers center Andrew Bynum fights for position against Nuggets forward Al Harrington while receiving a pass in the first half of Game 7 on Saturday night at Staples Center.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried pulls down a rebound against Lakers power forward Pau Gasol in the first half of Game 7 on Saturday night at Staples Center.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Forwards Metta World Peace of the Lakers and Al Harrington of the Nuggets battle for rebounding position in the first half of Game 7 on Saturday night at Staples Center.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant leans back to try to get a shot off against Nuggets guard Arron Afflalo in the first half of Game 7 on Saturday night at Staples Center.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is double-teamed by Nuggets forward Al Harrington and guard Arron Afflalo in the first half of Game 7 on Saturday night at Staples Center.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers center Andrew Bynum blocks the shot of Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari in the first half of Game 7 on Saturday night at Staples Center.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers power forward Pau Gasol knocks the ball from Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried during the first half of Game 7 on Saturday night at Staples Center.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers center Andrew Bynum towers over teammates and Nuggets as he shoots in the first half of Game 7 on Saturday night at Staples Center.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant tries to score inside against Nuggets guard Arron Afflalo in the first half of Game 7 on Saturday night at Staples Center.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers center Andrew Bynum blocks a shot by Nuggets guard Andre Miller in the first half of Game 7 on Saturday night at Staples Center.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)