By JUSTIN TERRANOVA

One Nuggets player told the Denver Post he believes the Lakers bribed the referees for an advantage in the team’s Game 5 matchup last night, which the Los Angeles won 103-94.

“The Lakers paid $50,000 to win that game. They got their money’s worth,” one Denver player, who did not want to be identified, told the paper.

The Nuggets were called for 30 fouls, compared the Lakers 22. But in the decisive fourth quarter, where Denver was outscored 27-18, the Nuggets were whistled for 11 fouls to the Lakers four. For the game, the Lakers shot 35 free throws, five more than the Nuggets.

It’s tough to put much credence to the player’s claim (unless you’re a Nuggets fan), but the NBA can’t be happy at the mere suggestion after the Tim Donaghy debacle. And nothing would scare the league more than a Nuggets-Magic final — you know Kobe and LeBron were dancing in David Stern’s dreams.

While Nuggets’ head coach George Karl didn’t come close to suggesting the game was rigged, he did think the Lakers got some favorable calls.

“I thought they got the benefit of the whistle,” Karl said.

Nuggets’ center Nene fouled out of the game in the final quarter.

“Nene has six fouls — three, four don’t exist,” Karl said.

Game 6 on Friday night should be interesting watch.