Kenyon Martin had 15 rebounds, Chris Andersen had 14 and Nene had 13 rebounds as the Nuggets tied the Western Conference finals at 2-2 with a 120-101 victory Monday.

"It was bad," Kobe Bryant said. "They kept getting second-chance opportunities and making us pay for them. They did a great job on the boards."

The Nuggets had 20 offensive rebounds, the Lakers nine.

"We've been showing a lot of video that rebounding is a big part of this series," Denver Coach George Karl said. "If I had to say one thing, I'd have to say that was the fundamental change [from Game 3]. It gave us extra possessions, gave us extra energy, gave us points."

Decisions, decisions

There are still games to be played, but the Lakers will have tough choices when their season ends, particularly with forward Trevor Ariza.

Ariza, who becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1, has made two game-turning defensive plays and shot 50% from three-point range in the playoffs.

He is making $3.1 million this season but is in line for a significant pay raise.

"I would think there are probably 30 teams that would agree with that," said David Lee, Ariza's agent.

Ariza, 23, is expected to at least double his annual salary, though it won't be known if he stays with the Lakers until negotiations begin in July.

"He likes the Lakers . He's happy where he is. What more can I say?" Lee said. "Whether [the Lakers ] would like to do anything for it, that's not my call. That's Mitch [Kupchak] and the Buss family's call."

Kupchak, the Lakers' general manager, could not be reached for comment Monday, but the team has already committed $74 million to only eight players on next season's payroll and will probably sign only one of its main free agents -- either Ariza or Lamar Odom.

Reserve guard Shannon Brown is also a free agent, but he is expected to draw less attention from other teams.

Odom still hurting

Odom is still affected by a sore lower back, so much so that he added extra padding to protect a bruise that used to be the size of a small saucer.

Odom said he added the support because he had been hit in the back during box-out situations against the Nuggets.

"I don't think anybody's doing it purposely," Odom said. "Just in case they are, I've got a football pad in the back."

Odom had only five points on one-for-eight shooting in Game 4. He also had five fouls and three turnovers.

--

mike.bresnahan@latimes.com