The Los Angeles Lakers had the odds stacked against them going into Denver to play the Nuggets who have only lost in their arena 3 times in 26 games. Making matters worse for the Lakers, they came in on the 2nd night of a back to back. The Denver Nuggets got up early, extending their lead as many as 18 points. The Denver Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night, 119-108.
The Lakers had no answer for the Denver Nuggets defensively. The Nuggets shot 56% from the field and scored an astonishing 78 points in the paint. The Nuggets’ high point total in the paint was due, in part, to the 33 fast break points, also an eye catching figure.
Kobe Bryant once again led the Lakers in scoring with 29 points and dished out 8 assists. Dwight Howard scored 14 points and pulled down 14 rebounds but was horrid from the free throw line, missing 11 of his 14 shots from the line. Steve Nash chipped in 16 points on an efficient 6 of 8 shooting.
Ty Lawson once again played well against the Lakers, scoring 22 points and handing out 8 assists. Wilson Chandler started in place of Danilo Gallinari and scored 23 points.
The loss drops the Lakers to 3 games back of the idle Houston Rockets for the 8th and final playoff spot. The Lakers return home to play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday.
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