In a matchup of two NBA Western Conference teams in very good form, the Denver Nuggets denied the Los Angeles Lakers their 10th straight victory by defeating the defending World Champions 95-90 at the Staples Center on Sunday. The win increased Denver's winning streak to 6 games and helped solidify their lock on 5th place in the Western Conference standings. The loss dropped the Lakers to 2.5 games back of the West leading San Antonio Spurs who had little trouble defeating the Phoenix Suns earlier in the day.
The Nuggets outright win enriched NBA enthusiasts that had backed them as +7 road underdogs against the Lakers. Denver has struggled to win on the road for much of the season and this victory improved their record away from 'The Mile High City' to 16-22-still a far cry from their 31-7 record at home. The Lakers dropped to 29-9 at the Staples Center this season. The 185 combined points scored went well UNDER the posted total of 200.
Lakers' center Pau Gasol was blocked by his team's inability to put the Nuggets away:
"We just didn't get the game under control, particularly in the fourth quarter. We just gave them too many chances to the point where they said they could take the game. And they took it. They're a very adaptable team and they've got a lot of guys that contribute in different ways."
Gasol was also worried about a sore knee, though by all indications the injury is nothing severe:
"I jammed my knee pretty good. It's sore, but they allowed me to play. So hopefully it will be nothing."
Los Angeles head coach Phil Jackson accepts that his group made mistakes, but also gave the Nuggets credit for their scrappy play:
"I told the team we beat ourselves, but it's not the complete story. I think Denver is very violent, and they created the 20 turnovers that really injure us in the course of the ballgame. It turned out to be a very physical game. Denver was clever to come out in the second half and shoot the ball attractive well."
Nuggets' coach George Karl said that versatility is key on a team without a 'go to' scoring threat:
"We don't have a closer that's going to make a big-time shot, but we have guys that are organized for the challenge. As a team and a coaching staff, we have to job together to try to get good shots in that place."
Denver will go back to home to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday followed by road games versus the Mavericks in Dallas and a rematch with the Thunder. The Lakers host Utah on Tuesday earlier than road games at Golden State and Portland.
The Nuggets outright win enriched NBA enthusiasts that had backed them as +7 road underdogs against the Lakers. Denver has struggled to win on the road for much of the season and this victory improved their record away from 'The Mile High City' to 16-22-still a far cry from their 31-7 record at home. The Lakers dropped to 29-9 at the Staples Center this season. The 185 combined points scored went well UNDER the posted total of 200.
Lakers' center Pau Gasol was blocked by his team's inability to put the Nuggets away:
"We just didn't get the game under control, particularly in the fourth quarter. We just gave them too many chances to the point where they said they could take the game. And they took it. They're a very adaptable team and they've got a lot of guys that contribute in different ways."
Gasol was also worried about a sore knee, though by all indications the injury is nothing severe:
"I jammed my knee pretty good. It's sore, but they allowed me to play. So hopefully it will be nothing."
Los Angeles head coach Phil Jackson accepts that his group made mistakes, but also gave the Nuggets credit for their scrappy play:
"I told the team we beat ourselves, but it's not the complete story. I think Denver is very violent, and they created the 20 turnovers that really injure us in the course of the ballgame. It turned out to be a very physical game. Denver was clever to come out in the second half and shoot the ball attractive well."
Nuggets' coach George Karl said that versatility is key on a team without a 'go to' scoring threat:
"We don't have a closer that's going to make a big-time shot, but we have guys that are organized for the challenge. As a team and a coaching staff, we have to job together to try to get good shots in that place."
Denver will go back to home to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday followed by road games versus the Mavericks in Dallas and a rematch with the Thunder. The Lakers host Utah on Tuesday earlier than road games at Golden State and Portland.
About the Author:
Ross Everett is a freelance sports writer and noted authority on price per head. His writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sports news and bookie software sites. He lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with three Jack Russell Terriers and an emu. He is currently working on an autobiography of former interior secretary James Watt.
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