(Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Lakers will try to halt a two-game losing
slide on Sunday night when they welcome the Denver Nuggets to the Staples
Center.
The Lakers lost a "road" game to their fellow Staples Center residents, the
Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night. They also fell to the Philadelphia 76ers
on New Year's Day.
It was after the Sixers loss Kobe Bryant said his team was "old as
(expletive)." He's doing his part. Bryant leads the NBA in scoring and posted
38 points and five steals on Friday against the Clippers.
Dwight Howard was fantastic as well with 21 points and 15 rebounds. He fouled
out, as did Metta World Peace, who did not enjoy a strong game against his
fellow Los Angeles players.
World Peace, who returned to the starting lineup, and Pau Gasol combined for
four points on 2-of-12 shooting.
The Clippers built a 16-point lead after the third quarter, but the Lakers won
the final quarter by 11. There was too much Chris Paul late and the Lakers
slid two games below .500.
"Moral victories right now aren't good," said head coach Mike D'Antoni. "We
did come back, Kobe had a great game, but it wasn't enough."
The Nuggets have won four of their last six, including a 110-91 victory
Saturday night, at home, over the Utah Jazz. Denver's starting unit was
fantastic with Danilo Gallinari leading the way with 27 points.
Kenneth Faried had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Andre
Iguodala netted 18 and Ty Lawson 14.
Nuggets head coach George Karl was able to rest some of his key rotation guys
in the fourth quarter with a huge lead. It was an impressive rebound
performance after a disappointing home loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on
Thursday night.
"It was good for us to not only just get the win, but to get the win and give
us some confidence going into (Sunday)," Iguodala said. "It might be a really
important game for us to get a good start. (The Lakers) will be waiting for us
and they've been struggling, so we know they want to play well, especially at
home."
The Nuggets will be playing their NBA-leading 23rd road game on Sunday. They
are 8-14 away from home.
The two teams split their two games this season with each winning on their
home court. The Nuggets have lost three straight and four of five to the
Lakers in Los Angeles.
The Sports Network