Lakers-Nuggets Preview

By KATE HEDLIN
Posted Apr 08 2010 1:08AM

Struggling down the stretch, the Los Angeles Lakers would like to get Andrew Bynum back on the court before the playoffs. Coach Phil Jackson said that's probably not going to happen.

Trying again to wrap up the top seed in the Western Conference, the Lakers are not expected to have Bynum available Thursday night against the Denver Nuggets.

The Lakers (55-22) have split their last eight games without Bynum, who's out due to a strained Achilles' tendon. He underwent another MRI Monday that revealed no tear, but Jackson said the center continues to experience discomfort some exercise.

"I'm not holding my breath on a timetable," Jackson said Tuesday. "Obviously, we'd like to have him play a couple games at the end of the (regular) season, but this morning I told him if that's not possible, we'll take whatever we can get in the playoffs at that time."

Now in his fifth season, the 22-year-old Bynum is averaging a career-high 15.0 points in 65 games, and his absence has certainly been felt - the Lakers have scored 94.3 points over the last eight games, down from 102.1 points over the first 69 contests.

They shot 40.7 percent in a 100-81 home loss to San Antonio on Sunday. Pau Gasol scored a season-high 32 points and Kobe Bryant added 22, but the Lakers failed to clinch the No. 1 seed in the West and home-court advantage through the NBA finals, which went to Cleveland.

Gasol said the Lakers need to recognize what they did wrong while trying to end the regular season on a positive note.

"We should be just aware, aware of what the possibilities are when we don't play as well, when we have a couple mistakes that we shouldn't have,'' he said. "We want to end these last five games on a good note so we feel good about ourselves going into the playoffs, which is important.''

Los Angeles needs to win its last five games to have consecutive 60-win seasons for the first time since doing so in four straight seasons starting in 1984-85.

Bryant also will try to bounce back after struggling over the last two games. He was 8 of 24 from the field against San Antonio, going scoreless in the third quarter, after going 5 of 23 and finishing with 25 points in a 106-92 win over Utah on Friday.

He was held to 14 points on 3-of-17 shooting in a 95-89 victory over the Nuggets on Feb. 28. The Lakers had lost the previous two games with Denver, including 105-79 at the Pepsi Center in November - the largest margin of defeat this season.

Denver (51-27), meanwhile, has stayed competitive for the No. 2 seed in the West by winning three straight after a 1-5 slide and battled for a 98-94 win over Oklahoma City on Wednesday. Chauncey Billups scored 31 points and Carmelo Anthony overcame an injury to add 24, helping Denver rally from a 13-point deficit.

The Nuggets have held their last three opponents to 92.0 points after allowing 105.3 over the previous six. They didn't give up a basket to the Thunder in the final nine minutes.

Billups scored 15 in the fourth quarter, hitting two free throws that put the Nuggets ahead 96-94 with 52.7 seconds left. They needed that surge as Anthony admitted he wasn't 100 percent after briefly losing consciousness when he rammed head-first into Kevin Durant in the third quarter.

Anthony, who's third in the NBA with 28.4 points per game, played in the fourth.

``I think it was just guts in this game,'' Billups said. ``We rebounded, we got the tough ones, we got the loose balls a lot of times. That's really what prevailed in this game.''

Copyright 2010 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

'Melo saves the day for Nuggets in big win over Lakers

By Michael Kelly, for NBA.com
Posted Friday April 9, 2010 3:04AM

DENVER (NBA.com exclusive) -- With the Northwest Division lead hanging in the balance, the Nuggets needed to stop the Lakers from hitting the last shot.

Fortunately for them, Kobe Bryant was in street clothes and Derek Fisher had the ball in his hands. Fisher has hit big shots in his career, but Thursday, on national TV, Carmelo Anthony wouldn't let him be the hero.

Anthony blocked Fisher's 3-point attempt as time expired and Denver escaped with a 98-96 victory.

"That felt just as good as hitting the game-winner," Anthony said. "That was a game-winner."

The Nuggets' fourth straight win gave them a game lead on the Jazz in the division and kept them in the hunt for the No. 2 seed with three games left.

"For us, the playoffs started a week ago and we got to play ugly and fight scrap claw and try to get out the best way we can," Chauncey Billups said.

It was fortunate that Bryant sat out Thursday's game with what the team said was swelling in his right knee. With Los Angeles needing just one win in its last three games to clinch the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, resting guys is a luxury the rest of the conference lacks.

"We want him ready for the playoffs -- that's the bottom line," said Lakers center Pau Gasol, who had 26 points and 13 rebounds. "The coaching staff decided to sit him out and we've got to play hard and win ballgames anyway."

Coach Phil Jackson said it was Bryant's decision to sit out Thursday and he said the former MVP will probably miss Friday's game at Minnesota.

"I really don't anticipate [him playing] but I'll let him make that decision," Jackson said. "He knows exactly what he has to do to get himself ready."

Even without Bryant the Lakers feel they should have clinched the top seed Thursday. Down 63-50 in the third, the Lakers went on a 17-4 run over the next 6:03 to tie it at 67, and the Lakers took a 74-73 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Nuggets looked overmatched when the Lakers took an 89-82 lead midway through the fourth, but they clawed their way back. Down 92-87, Anthony, who had a game-high 31, scored on a layup, and his 3-pointer with 2:37 left tied the game.

The Nuggets led 97-96 when the game turned on a close call by the officials. Shannon Brown blocked J.R. Smith's 10-footer on the baseline, and when Brown threw the ball to Fisher upcourt, Billups jumped in and deflected the ball off Fisher and out of bounds.

The officials confirmed their call through a video review, but Jackson didn't agree with the decision.

"It was our ball but they had already called it Denver's ball and there wasn't enough [evidence to overturn it]," he said. "He hit Fisher's arm and Fisher's arm knocked it out."

Smith hit a free throw with 12.7 seconds left, and then Anthony came through with his defense.

"Tonight it was meant for me to be out there and play defense on that last play," he said. "I made the block and saved us tonight."

It might have saved the Nuggets' playoff position, too. With three games left Denver is 52-27, a game ahead of Utah in the Northwest Division. If the Nuggets win their final two home games they can clinch their second straight division title and aim for the No. 2 overall seed.

"That's the most important thing on our plate right now, on our mind, to at least win the division and see what happens from there," Anthony said.

If anything, the Nuggets are showing resiliency. A night after coming back from 13 down in the fourth to win at Oklahoma City, they dug deep and beat the Lakers to win the season series against the defending champs.

More important, they want to win a playoff series against the Lakers.

"It's always fun to play against them, but I'm pretty sure we're going to have some tests before then," Anthony said.

• Lakers: Bynum
• Nuggets: Martin

• Lakers: --
• Nuggets: --

• Lead Changes: 9
• Times Tied: 11

• Arena: Pepsi Center, Denver, CO
• Officials: #43 Dan Crawford, #59 Gary Zielinski, #61 Courtney Kirkland
• Attendance: 20044
• Duration: 2:34

Los Angeles Lakers (55-23)		Denver Nuggets (52-27)
Start of 1st Quarter
(12:00) Jump Ball Petro vs Gasol (Fisher gains possession)
Gasol Turnover : Backcourt Turnover (1 TO)	11:40
	11:27	Nene Jump Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:26
Odom Jump Shot: Missed	11:02
	11:01	Afflalo Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:53	Billups Jump Shot: Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	10:52
Artest Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Odom (1 AST)	10:40 [LAL 2-0]
	10:22 [DEN 2-2]	Afflalo Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Vujacic Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	10:22
	10:22 [DEN 3-2]	Afflalo Free Throw 1 of 1 (3 PTS)
Gasol Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed	10:03
	10:02	Anthony Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	09:41 [DEN 5-2]	Anthony Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Billups (1 AST)
Gasol Jump Shot: Missed	09:18
	09:16	Billups Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	09:10	Nene Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)
Artest Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Fisher (1 AST)	08:56 [LAL 4-5]
Gasol Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	08:45
	08:45 [DEN 6-4]	Nene Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)
	08:45 [DEN 7-4]	Nene Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)
Gasol Alley Oop Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Vujacic (1 AST)	08:32 [LAL 6-7]
	08:17	Billups 3pt Shot: Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	08:16
Artest Driving Layup Shot: Missed	08:03
	08:02	Petro Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	07:57	Nene Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	07:55
Gasol Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Artest (1 AST)	07:35 [LAL 8-7]
	07:18	Billups 3pt Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	07:17
Fisher Jump Shot: Missed	07:01
	07:01	Team Rebound
Odom Foul : Loose Ball (1 PF)	07:01
	06:49	Anthony Layup Shot: Missed
Fisher Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	06:47
Fisher Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)	06:41 [LAL 10-7]
Fisher Foul : Personal (1 PF)	06:27
	06:17	Petro Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Fisher (1 ST)
Gasol Layup Shot: Missed Block: Anthony (1 BLK)	06:11
	06:09	Anthony Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	06:01	Nene Slam Dunk Shot: Missed
	05:58	Anthony Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	05:55 [DEN 9-10]	Anthony Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Fisher 3pt Shot: Missed	05:36
	05:35	Afflalo Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	05:29	Nene Foul : Loose Ball (1 PF)
	05:29	Nene Turnover : Foul (2 TO)
	05:29	Team Timeout : Regular
Fisher Jump Shot: Missed	05:03
	05:02	Billups Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	04:47 [DEN 12-10]	Anthony 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Nene (1 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	04:40
Vujacic Jump Shot: Missed	04:32
Odom Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	04:31
Odom Jump Hook Shot: Missed	04:27
Gasol Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	04:26
Vujacic 3pt Shot: Missed	04:22
	04:21	Nene Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	04:04 [DEN 15-10]	Billups 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Petro (1 AST)
	03:46	Petro Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
	03:46	Afflalo Substitution replaced by Smith
Gasol Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)	03:46 [LAL 11-15]
Vujacic Substitution replaced by Brown	03:46
Gasol Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)	03:46 [LAL 12-15]
	03:29 [DEN 17-12]	Nene Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Anthony (1 AST)
Artest Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Anthony (1 ST)	03:14
	03:08 [DEN 20-12]	Anthony 3pt Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Smith (1 AST)
	02:53	Nene Substitution replaced by Andersen
Artest Turnover : 3 Second Violation (2 TO)	02:42
	02:23	Anthony Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Artest (1 ST)
	02:21	Petro Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Artest Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)	02:21 [LAL 13-20]
Artest Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	02:21
	02:19	Petro Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	02:13	Billups Jump Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	02:12
Artest 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Fisher (2 AST)	01:56 [LAL 16-20]
	01:34	Billups Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Missed
	01:33	Petro Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	01:32 [DEN 22-16]	Petro Putback Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Brown Fade Away Jumper Shot: Missed	01:11
	01:10	Billups Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	00:57.8	Anthony Jump Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	00:56.8
	00:56.8	Petro Substitution replaced by Allen
Odom Jump Shot: Missed	00:44.5
Gasol Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	00:43.5
Gasol Tip Shot: Made (8 PTS)	00:43.5 [LAL 18-22]
	00:29.9	Smith 3pt Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	00:28.9
	00:25.6	Smith Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Brown Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)	00:25.6 [LAL 19-22]
Gasol Substitution replaced by Mbenga	00:25.6
Brown Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)	00:25.6 [LAL 20-22]
	00:03.4	Anthony Driving Layup Shot: Missed
Mbenga Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	00:02.4
Brown 3pt Shot: Missed	00:00.9
Team Rebound	00:00.0
End of 1st Quarter
Los Angeles Lakers (55-23)		Denver Nuggets (52-27)
Start of 2nd QuarterBack to Top
Mbenga Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	11:40
	11:40 [DEN 23-20]	Anthony Free Throw 1 of 2 (11 PTS)
	11:40	Anthony Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Mbenga Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	11:39
Farmar Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Artest (2 AST)	11:22 [LAL 22-23]
	11:07	Allen Jump Shot: Missed
Farmar Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:05
	11:03	Allen Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Odom Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)	11:03 [LAL 23-23]
Odom Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	11:03
	11:01	Andersen Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:46	Allen Turnover : 3 Second Violation (1 TO)
Artest Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS)	10:27 [LAL 25-23]
	10:03	Smith 3pt Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)	10:03
	09:54	Anthony Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Farmar Turnaround Fade Away shot: Missed	09:44
Mbenga Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	09:43
	09:37	Allen Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Brown Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)	09:37 [LAL 26-23]
	09:37	Allen Substitution replaced by Nene
Brown Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)	09:37 [LAL 27-23]
	09:23 [DEN 25-27]	Smith Running Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Odom Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Lawson (1 ST)	09:20
	09:17 [DEN 27-27]	Lawson Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Odom Jump Shot: Missed	09:05
	09:04	Smith Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	08:59	Anthony 3pt Shot: Missed
Mbenga Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	08:57
Farmar Jump Shot: Missed	08:44
Artest Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	08:42
Mbenga Jump Bank Shot: Made (2 PTS)	08:37 [LAL 29-27]
	08:23 [DEN 29-29]	Anthony Jump Shot: Made (13 PTS)
Artest Turnover : Lost Ball (3 TO) Steal:Smith (1 ST)	08:00
Brown Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	07:57
	07:57	Timeout : Official
Artest Substitution replaced by Walton	07:57
Odom Substitution replaced by Gasol	07:57
Mbenga Substitution replaced by Powell	07:57
	07:57 [DEN 30-29]	Anthony Free Throw 1 of 2 (14 PTS)
	07:57 [DEN 31-29]	Anthony Free Throw 2 of 2 (15 PTS)
	07:43	Nene Foul : Personal (2 PF)
	07:43	Anthony Substitution replaced by Graham
Brown 3pt Shot: Missed	07:27
Powell Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	07:26
	07:22	Andersen Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Gasol Free Throw 1 of 2 (9 PTS)	07:22 [LAL 30-31]
Gasol Free Throw 2 of 2 (10 PTS)	07:22 [LAL 31-31]
Powell Foul : Personal (1 PF)	07:14
Brown Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	07:04
	07:04	Graham Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	07:04	Team Rebound
	07:04	Graham Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Powell Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	07:02
Powell Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	06:54 [LAL 33-31]
Walton Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	06:39
	06:39	Andersen Substitution replaced by Petro
	06:39 [DEN 32-33]	Nene Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)
	06:39	Lawson Substitution replaced by Billups
	06:39 [DEN 33-33]	Nene Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)
Brown Layup Shot: Missed Block: Nene (1 BLK)	06:29
	06:27	Graham Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	06:24 [DEN 35-33]	Smith Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Graham (2 AST)
Brown Jump Shot: Missed	06:09
	06:08	Petro Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	05:59 [DEN 38-33]	Smith 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Graham (1 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	05:51
Brown Substitution replaced by Fisher	05:51
Farmar Substitution replaced by Vujacic	05:51
Vujacic Jump Shot: Missed	05:45
Powell Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	05:44
Powell Putback Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS)	05:43 [LAL 35-38]
	05:24 [DEN 41-35]	Smith 3pt Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Nene (2 AST)
Walton Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed	05:03
	05:02	Smith Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	04:54	Smith 3pt Shot: Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)	04:53
Vujacic Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Gasol (1 AST)	04:47 [LAL 37-41]
	04:21 [DEN 44-37]	Smith 3pt Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Nene (3 AST)
	04:15	Petro Foul : Personal (3 PF)
	04:15	Graham Substitution replaced by Anthony
Walton Substitution replaced by Artest	04:15
Fisher Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	04:15
Team Rebound	04:15
	04:15	Petro Substitution replaced by Andersen
Fisher Free Throw 2 of 2 (3 PTS)	04:15 [LAL 38-44]
Powell Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	04:02
	04:02 [DEN 45-38]	Nene Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)
	04:02 [DEN 46-38]	Nene Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)
Gasol Jump Hook Shot: Missed Block: Andersen (1 BLK)	03:46
	03:44	Nene Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	03:33	Billups Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Fisher (2 ST)
Artest Finger Roll Layup Shot: Missed	03:30
	03:26	Smith Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
Vujacic Foul : Personal (2 PF)	03:23
	03:23	Anthony Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	03:23	Team Rebound
	03:23 [DEN 47-38]	Anthony Free Throw 2 of 2 (16 PTS)
Gasol Layup Shot: Missed	03:03
Powell Rebound (Off:3 Def:1)	03:01
Powell Layup Shot: Missed Block: Anthony (2 BLK)	03:00
	02:58	Nene Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	02:49 [DEN 50-38]	Smith 3pt Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Anthony (2 AST)
Artest 3pt Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Fisher (3 AST)	02:33 [LAL 41-50]
	02:20 [DEN 52-41]	Anthony Jump Shot: Made (18 PTS) Assist: Nene (4 AST)
Artest Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	02:20
	02:20	Team Timeout : Regular
Powell Substitution replaced by Odom	02:20
	02:20 [DEN 53-41]	Anthony Free Throw 1 of 1 (19 PTS)
Vujacic Jump Shot: Missed	02:08
	02:07	Nene Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	02:01	Nene Substitution replaced by Afflalo
	01:51	Smith Jump Shot: Missed
	01:50	Andersen Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	01:50	Andersen Tip Shot: Missed
	01:49	Team Rebound
Odom Substitution replaced by Brown	01:49
	01:42 [DEN 55-41]	Andersen Alley Oop Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Billups (2 AST)
Gasol Layup Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Artest (3 AST)	01:24 [LAL 43-55]
	01:06 [DEN 57-43]	Afflalo Reverse Layup Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Anthony (3 AST)
	00:49.3	Andersen Foul : Personal (2 PF)
Gasol Free Throw 1 of 2 (13 PTS)	00:49.3 [LAL 44-57]
Gasol Free Throw 2 of 2 (14 PTS)	00:49.3 [LAL 45-57]
	00:37.9	Billups Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Artest (2 ST)
Artest Layup Shot: Missed Block: Andersen (2 BLK)	00:33.9
Gasol Rebound (Off:3 Def:3)	00:32.5
Vujacic 3pt Shot: Missed	00:30.3
Artest Rebound (Off:2 Def:0)	00:29.3
	00:28.3	Smith Foul : Loose Ball (2 PF)
Artest Free Throw 1 of 2 (14 PTS)	00:28.3 [LAL 46-57]
Artest Free Throw 2 of 2 (15 PTS)	00:28.3 [LAL 47-57]
	00:03.9	Afflalo Fade Away Jumper Shot: Missed
Fisher Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	00:03.1
Brown 3pt Shot: Missed Block: Afflalo (1 BLK)	00:00.2
Team Rebound	00:00.0
End of 2nd Quarter
Los Angeles Lakers (55-23)		Denver Nuggets (52-27)
Start of 3rd QuarterBack to Top
	11:45 [DEN 59-47]	Nene Driving Dunk Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Billups (3 AST)
Odom Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Petro (1 ST)	11:24
	11:16	Anthony 3pt Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:1 Def:6)	11:16
Fisher Jump Shot: Missed	10:59
	10:58	Petro Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
	10:47	Petro Layup Shot: Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:3 Def:4)	10:46
Brown Driving Layup Shot: Missed	10:32
	10:31	Petro Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)
	10:19 [DEN 62-47]	Afflalo 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Anthony (4 AST)
Gasol Jump Hook Shot: Made (16 PTS)	09:51 [LAL 49-62]
Team Violation : Delay Of Game	09:51
Gasol Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	09:34
	09:34 [DEN 63-49]	Anthony Free Throw 1 of 2 (20 PTS)
	09:34	Anthony Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Artest Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	09:33
	09:15	Afflalo Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Gasol Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	09:15
Team Rebound	09:15
Gasol Free Throw 2 of 2 (17 PTS)	09:15 [LAL 50-63]
	08:57	Billups Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Odom (1 ST)
Gasol Jump Shot: Missed	08:43
	08:42	Petro Rebound (Off:1 Def:6)
	08:25	Afflalo Jump Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:1 Def:7)	08:24
Fisher Driving Layup Shot: Missed	08:09
Fisher Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	08:08
	08:07	Anthony Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Fisher Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	08:07
Team Rebound	08:07
Fisher Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)	08:07 [LAL 51-63]
	07:45	Anthony Jump Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:1 Def:8)	07:45
	07:39	Nene Foul : Shooting (3 PF)
Odom Free Throw 1 of 2 (2 PTS)	07:39 [LAL 52-63]
Odom Free Throw 2 of 2 (3 PTS)	07:39 [LAL 53-63]
Brown Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	07:31
	07:31 [DEN 64-53]	Billups Free Throw 1 of 2 (4 PTS)
	07:31 [DEN 65-53]	Billups Free Throw 2 of 2 (5 PTS)
Fisher Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS)	07:08 [LAL 55-65]
	06:48	Petro Jump Hook Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	06:47
	06:47	Petro Foul : Loose Ball (4 PF)
	06:47	Petro Substitution replaced by Andersen
Brown 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Gasol (2 AST)	06:24 [LAL 58-65]
	06:06	Nene Layup Shot: Missed Block: Gasol (1 BLK)
	06:05	Nene Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
	06:04	Afflalo Turnover : Traveling (1 TO)
Brown Jump Shot: Missed	05:48
Gasol Rebound (Off:4 Def:4)	05:47
Gasol Tip Shot: Missed	05:47
	05:45	Andersen Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	05:32	Billups 3pt Shot: Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:4 Def:5)	05:31
Odom 3pt Shot: Missed	05:25
Artest Rebound (Off:3 Def:1)	05:24
Artest 3pt Shot: Made (18 PTS)	05:20 [LAL 61-65]
	05:16	Team Timeout : Regular
	05:16	Team Violation : Delay Of Game
	04:59	Anthony Driving Layup Shot: Missed
	04:58	Andersen Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)
	04:57 [DEN 67-61]	Andersen Putback Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Artest Layup Shot: Made (20 PTS) Assist: Gasol (3 AST)	04:40 [LAL 63-67]
	04:15	Afflalo 3pt Shot: Missed Block: Gasol (2 BLK)
	04:14	Afflalo Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	04:13	Afflalo Running Jump Shot: Missed
	04:12	Team Rebound
	04:12	Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover
	04:12	Afflalo Substitution replaced by Smith
Brown 3pt Shot: Missed	03:48
Odom Rebound (Off:2 Def:8)	03:47
Odom Layup Shot: Made (5 PTS)	03:45 [LAL 65-67]
	03:21	Billups Jump Shot: Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:4 Def:6)	03:20
Brown Slam Dunk Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Gasol (4 AST)	03:16 [LAL 67-67]
	02:54	Anthony Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:4 Def:7)	02:53
Fisher Jump Shot: Missed	02:47
	02:46	Team Rebound
Team Timeout : Regular	02:46
Odom Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	02:33
	02:33	Nene Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	02:33	Team Rebound
	02:33	Nene Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:2 Def:9)	02:32
	02:16	Nene Foul : Shooting (4 PF)
Gasol Free Throw 1 of 2 (18 PTS)	02:16 [LAL 68-67]
Gasol Free Throw 2 of 2 (19 PTS)	02:16 [LAL 69-67]
	02:01 [DEN 69-69]	Billups Jump Shot: Made (7 PTS)
Brown 3pt Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Fisher (4 AST)	01:42 [LAL 72-69]
	01:29 [DEN 71-72]	Billups Jump Shot: Made (9 PTS)
Fisher Jump Shot: Missed	01:03
	01:02	Nene Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)
	00:50.9	Billups Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Missed
Artest Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)	00:50.1
	00:49.6	Anthony Foul : Personal (3 PF)
	00:49.6	Nene Substitution replaced by Allen
Artest Free Throw 1 of 2 (21 PTS)	00:49.6 [LAL 73-71]
Artest Free Throw 2 of 2 (22 PTS)	00:49.6 [LAL 74-71]
	00:35.6 [DEN 73-74]	Anthony Jump Shot: Made (22 PTS) Assist: Billups (4 AST)
Artest Foul : Offensive (2 PF)	00:26.1
Artest Turnover : Foul (4 TO)	00:26.1
	00:04.8	Allen 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:04.4	Smith Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	00:01.8	Smith Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed
Artest Rebound (Off:3 Def:3)	00:00.1
End of 3rd Quarter
Los Angeles Lakers (55-23)		Denver Nuggets (52-27)
Start of 4th QuarterBack to Top
Vujacic Jump Shot: Missed	11:42
	11:41	Andersen Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)
	11:25	Smith 3pt Shot: Missed
Farmar Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	11:24
Farmar Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)	11:15 [LAL 76-73]
	10:55	Anthony Jump Shot: Missed
	10:54	Andersen Rebound (Off:3 Def:3)
	10:49 [DEN 76-76]	Smith 3pt Shot: Made (19 PTS) Assist: Lawson (1 AST)
Farmar Driving Layup Shot: Missed	10:25
Gasol Rebound (Off:5 Def:7)	10:23
Gasol Layup Shot: Made (21 PTS)	10:22 [LAL 78-76]
	09:58	Lawson Running Jump Shot: Missed Block: Gasol (3 BLK)
Farmar Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	09:55
Farmar Layup Shot: Missed	09:46
	09:44	Andersen Rebound (Off:4 Def:4)
	09:37	Smith 3pt Shot: Missed
Powell Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)	09:36
Vujacic 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Gasol (5 AST)	09:19 [LAL 81-76]
	09:11	Team Timeout : Regular
	08:59 [DEN 78-81]	Smith Reverse Layup Shot: Made (21 PTS) Assist: Allen (1 AST)
Artest 3pt Shot: Missed	08:30
Gasol Rebound (Off:6 Def:7)	08:29
Vujacic 3pt Shot: Missed	08:26
Team Rebound	08:26
	08:26	Allen Foul : Loose Ball (3 PF)
	08:26	Anthony Substitution replaced by Carter
Vujacic Substitution replaced by Brown	08:26
Gasol Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (23 PTS)	08:20 [LAL 83-78]
	08:20	Andersen Foul : Shooting (3 PF)
Artest Substitution replaced by Vujacic	08:20
	08:20	Lawson Substitution replaced by Billups
Gasol Free Throw 1 of 1 (24 PTS)	08:20 [LAL 84-78]
	08:10 [DEN 80-84]	Smith Driving Layup Shot: Made (23 PTS) Assist: Carter (1 AST)
Gasol Running Jump Shot: Missed	07:42
Vujacic Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	07:41
Vujacic 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Powell (1 AST)	07:22 [LAL 87-80]
	07:07 [DEN 82-87]	Carter Running Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Billups (5 AST)
Vujacic 3pt Shot: Missed	06:48
	06:47	Smith Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
	06:41	Smith 3pt Shot: Missed
Vujacic Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	06:39
Gasol Jump Shot: Made (26 PTS) Assist: Farmar (1 AST)	06:24 [LAL 89-82]
	06:07 [DEN 85-89]	Billups 3pt Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Allen (2 AST)
Gasol Jump Shot: Missed	05:44
	05:43	Team Rebound
	05:43	Timeout : Official
Brown Substitution replaced by Fisher	05:43
Powell Substitution replaced by Odom	05:43
	05:43	Andersen Substitution replaced by Anthony
	05:43	Allen Substitution replaced by Nene
Odom Foul : Personal (3 PF)	05:33
	05:17	Billups 3pt Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:2 Def:10)	05:16
Farmar Driving Reverse Layup Shot: Missed	04:58
	04:56	Nene Rebound (Off:1 Def:6)
	04:52	Anthony Layup Shot: Missed Block: Vujacic (1 BLK)
	04:51	Anthony Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)
	04:50 [DEN 87-89]	Anthony Layup Shot: Made (24 PTS)
Vujacic 3pt Shot: Missed	04:29
	04:28	Billups Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	04:19	Nene Running Jump Shot: Missed
Vujacic Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	04:18
Farmar 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS)	04:04 [LAL 92-87]
	03:52	Billups Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Missed Block: Farmar (1 BLK)
Fisher Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	03:51
Gasol Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO)	03:32
	03:13 [DEN 89-92]	Anthony Driving Layup Shot: Made (26 PTS)
Fisher Jump Shot: Missed	02:49
	02:47	Smith Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)
	02:40 [DEN 92-92]	Anthony 3pt Shot: Made (29 PTS) Assist: Carter (2 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	02:37
Farmar Substitution replaced by Artest	02:37
Jump Ball Carter vs Vujacic (Fisher gains possession)	02:21
	02:15	Billups Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Fisher Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)	02:15 [LAL 93-92]
Fisher Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)	02:15 [LAL 94-92]
	02:02 [DEN 94-94]	Smith Jump Shot: Made (25 PTS) Assist: Billups (6 AST)
	01:46	Anthony Foul : Personal (4 PF)
Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover	01:32
Gasol Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	01:22
	01:22 [DEN 95-94]	Nene Free Throw 1 of 2 (11 PTS)
	01:22	Nene Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:2 Def:11)	01:21
Gasol Turnover : Lost Ball (3 TO) Steal:Nene (1 ST)	01:04
Odom Foul : Shooting (4 PF)	00:44.2
	00:44.2 [DEN 96-94]	Anthony Free Throw 1 of 2 (30 PTS)
Team Timeout : Short	00:44.2
	00:44.2 [DEN 97-94]	Anthony Free Throw 2 of 2 (31 PTS)
	00:32.4	Smith Foul : Shooting (3 PF)
Fisher Free Throw 1 of 2 (9 PTS)	00:32.4 [LAL 95-97]
Vujacic Substitution replaced by Brown	00:32.4
Fisher Free Throw 2 of 2 (10 PTS)	00:32.4 [LAL 96-97]
	00:32.4	Team Timeout : Regular
	00:18.4	Smith Running Jump Shot: Missed Block: Brown (1 BLK)
Brown Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	00:16.0
Brown Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)	00:14.0
	00:14.0	Instant Replay - Support Ruling
Brown Foul : Personal (4 PF)	00:12.7
	00:12.7	Smith Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	00:12.7	Team Rebound
Brown Substitution replaced by Vujacic	00:12.7
	00:12.7 [DEN 98-96]	Smith Free Throw 2 of 2 (26 PTS)
Fisher 3pt Shot: Missed Block: Anthony (3 BLK)	00:01.3
Team Rebound	00:00.0
End of 4th Quarter

broadcast information
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