After what may be one of the best games the Lakers have played all season against the Pelicans, the Lakers could not keep the momentum going against the Denver Nuggets losing 111-99. The Lakers played great throughout the game against the Pelicans but were very inconsistent in what was the second of back to back games.
Mike D’Antoni went with the same starting lineup and Jordan Hill continued to look great showing a lot of aggressiveness. However, as a team, the Lakers could not get going trailing the Nuggets most of the game. The Lakers would cut the lead down to as little as four points but Nuggets were not going to hand this game over. There were chances for the Lakers both in the third and a couple in the fourth quarter but they would get cold offensively.
Pau Gasol quietly worked his way into becoming the leading scorer for the Lakers with 25 points to go along with 12 rebounds and 3 assists. It seems like Hill will be staying in the starting lineup after getting 18 points and 15 rebounds. Hill was battling throughout the game for every rebound he could get his hands on even though getting into early foul trouble. With Steve Nash out for at least two weeks, Steve Blake played well with 15 points and 11 assists.
The Lakers had trouble containing both Kenneth Faried, who scored 21 points, and Ty Lawson with 19. Off the bench for the Nuggets Timofey Mozgov had 23 points to lead the team and 9 rebounds. The Lakers will play again on Friday against the Memphis Grizzlies who have recently been struggling.
Lakers Aftermath 