Denver Beats the Lakers 112-105 in L.A.
The Los Angeles Lakers have lost three in a row now and four of the last five. Steve Nash is playing. Dwight Howard is playing. There are no more excuses. Yet the Lakers are still not getting it done. It is time to start doubting whether this “super-team” is even going to make the playoffs, much less contend. Ty Lawson had 21 points and 10 assists in the game for the Denver Nuggets in their 112-105 win at Staples Center. The Nuggets are 20-16 while the Lakers are now 15-18. The win was the second one since December 26 over the Lakers for Denver which might explain why they were taking this one in stride.
”They’re struggling,” Denver coach George Karl said. ”It’s a great win for us, but I’m not going to get overinflated.” Kobe Bryant had 29 points and Howard had a career high 26 rebounds for the Lakers, yet they still could not hang with the Nuggets.
When things are going wrong they really seem to go wrong as the Lakers can attest. Not only did they lose Pau Gasol to an inadvertent Javale McGee elbow, but in a critical juncture, with the Lakers down 105-102 a Howard block found it’s way to Danilo Galinari who buried a dagger three in the corner to make it 108-102 and essentially ice the game.
In other NBA action on Sunday, the Oklahoma City Thunder got past the Toronto Raptors 104-92. Russell Westbrook led five Thunder players in double figures with 23 points. Kevin Durant also had 22 points in the win which improved the Thunder to 26-7 while the Raptors fell to 12-22. The games was a two point Thunder lead at halftime, but the Thunder clamped down on the Raptors in third quarter, holding them to 17 points as they took an 11 point lead into the fourth.
The Charlotte Bobcats got a much needed win over the Detroit Pistons in overtime 108-101. The Bobcats were led by Kemba Walker with 20 points and Ben Gordon also chipped in 18 points as they won for the second time in 21 games. The Pistons fell to 13-23 on the season. They had won four in a row going into the game. The game was close throughout with the Pistons leading by one point at the half and by three at the end of the third quarter.
The Miami Heat beat the Washington Wizards 99-71. Lebron James led the Heat with 24 points and Ray Allen chipped in 20 points, as they improved to 23-9. The Wizards dropped to an NBA worst 4-28. Good news though for the Wizards in that John Wall is now practicing and may be back soon.
The Memphis Grizzlies beat the Phoenix Suns 92-81. Zach Randolph had 21 points and Rudy Gay added 20 for the 21-10 Grizzlies. The Suns were led by P.J. Tucker with 17 points as they fell to 12-23.
