Denver Nuggets break Los Angeles Lakers nine-game winning streak, 95-90 at Staples Center
The Denver Nuggets snapped the Los Angeles Lakers nine game winning streak to push them to a 95-90 loss, Sunday night at the Staples Center.
The Nuggets could not contain their joy after they clinched their 15th victory ever since trading the superstar Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks back in February. The Nuggets improved to a 47-29 record that helped them secure a position
in the postseason.
Danilo Gallinari scored a team best 22 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out three assists in a little over 40 minutes. The player was 3 for 6 from the long range to go along with a game high three steals. Kevin Martin followed with 18 points and
grabbed eight rebounds on an 8 for 15 shooting performance overall.
Raymond Felton added 16 points off the bench as the Nuggets prevailed over the Lakers. The player was very excited after beating LA and was quoted as saying, "It's a big win...you hear Lakers, you hear Dallas, certain teams. But you have to talk about the
Nuggets too."
Kobe Bryant scored a game high 28 points going 10 for 27 from the field. Lamar Odom contributed 17 points from off the bench and also missed two three pointer attempts in the final minutes of the game. The player also grabbed seven rebounds and pulled out
five assists in 31 plus minutes. Pau Gasol added a double-double by scoring 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in 31 minute stint.
The Denver Nuggets were neck and neck with the Lakers throughout the first quarter, locking a 21-20 lead over them in the first quarter. The Lakers took offence after entering the second quarter with a one-point deficit, and responded with a fiery shooting
to build a seven point lead over Denver, 47-40. Bryant scored 13 of Los Angeles’ 27 second quarter points while the Nuggets scored 19 points.
The Lakers maintained a six point lead until the 7:03 mark of the third quarter, 56-50. The Nuggets pulled up with better defence, shielding their shots and hitting three straight to overcome the deficit and make it 56-all within the next one and a half
minute. Bryant clinched a jumper to take the lead and Nene Hilario responded with the same to tie the scores at 58-all. The game entered more ties and tie-breakers after that and resulted in a third quarter tie, 69-all.
Determined not to let the opposition break their winning streak, the Lakers put in more offence and shot three straight to dominate the Nuggets, 75-69. The Nuggets responded to that with 11-2 run to take a three-point lead over the Lakers, 80-77. The Lakers
did not lose spirit and kept on fighting but failed to clinch some vital shots. As the game started to reach its end, it became a little difficult to guess who the winner would be. Odom clinched a 3-pointer to bridge the gap, 90-92, but Denver had done enough
damage in the final quarter to overcome the previous deficits. The Lakers missed two 3-pointers, leaving the Denver Nuggets with a 95-90 victory.
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