After a frustrating and physical Game 5, fans wondered about Kobe Bryant’s response to Dahntay Jones’s rough play and J.R. Smith’s fourth quarter taunting.

WOULD THE BLACK MAMBA STRIKE FOR 50? WOULD HE GET ANOTHER TECHNICAL FOUL AND BE SUSPENDED FOR GAME SIX?

Questions were abound. But, Kobe answered the questions by springing a trap. He played possum and let Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol wreak havoc.

The Laker “Bigs” scored a combined 42 points, grabbed 28 rebounds and blocked 10 shots to a punishing 103-94 victory over the Nuggets.

Coach Phil Jackson used his bigger, front line to attack Denver’s interior. He also triple-teamed a sick and injured, Carmelo Anthony and repeatedly trapped Chauncey Billups with hard, double teams. Throughout the contest, the Nuggets tried several times to break on their trademark, destructive runs. However, when they got four, five or even seven points ahead, a turnover here, a missed shot there led to Laker comebacks. The first three quarters ended in ties. And then, came the fourth.

The Nuggets offense stalled and sputtered like an old jalopy. During an eight minute stretch, the Lakers went on 21-3 as the Nuggets went 1-12 and had five, costly turnovers (four by Billups, one by Melo). L.A.’s bench came up big with Shannon Brown scoring his six points, including one rim-rattling dunk on “The Birdman” Chris Andersen. But, the game wasn’t over just yet.

Denver’s bench also contributed. The hero of Game 2, Linas Kleiza, emerged once again. He scored ten points going 2-4 from the field. He shot from three and attacked the paint. His five points in the fourth brought Denver to within four. However, the comeback stopped as Bryant passed out of a double team and found Odom at the basket for an easy two, plus a foul.

In the end, Billups had more turnovers (seven) than assists (five). He and Kenyon Martin played badly and both had 12 points. J.R. Smith lost his shot for the four time this postseason and went 3-13, and 1-10 from three. Nene Hilario accumulated four points and eight rebounds before getting fouling out for the third time this postseason.

On the Laker’s side, Kobe had 22 points, five rebounds, eight assists and seven turnovers. Derek Fisher had 13 points. Trevor Ariza had 12.

Game Six at Denver Friday night