EL SEGUNDO, CA-- The last time the Lakers took a three-games-to-one lead in the NBA Playoffs and then lost it and had to play a seventh game, it didn't turn out so well for them.
After losing the first game of the opening round series to Phoenix in 2006, the Lakers worked hard to win the next three by a total of just 14 points. Then the Suns regrouped for the final three games, crushing L.A. by a total margin of 55 points to take the series 4-3, becoming just the eighth team in league playoff history to accomplish the feat. The two teams had met in a similar situation in the 1970 Western Conference Finals, with the Lakers overcoming the odds to win that series and advance to the Finals.
Now, the team with the most appearances in playoff history60--is facing the possibility of becoming the ninth team to cough up a 3-1 lead in the post season. The Denver Nuggets are looking to be the history-makers, and Kobe Bryant said he's not totally surprised it's come down to this, especially a...
