Lakers at Nuggets
THE STORY: After earning their third consecutive victory Saturday at Staples Center, the Los Angeles Lakers complete a home-and-home series at Denver on Sunday night. The game completes one of the most unique back-to-backs of the season - two games in two nights in two different cities in two different years. Lakers center Andrew Bynum showed he was eager to play after sitting out the first four games from a suspension for a vicious foul that carried over from the playoffs. Bynum had 29 points, making 13 of 18 attempts, and added 13 rebounds as the Lakers earned a 92-89 victory. Denver led 89-84 with 3:45 remaining but did not score again, missing seven field goals and three free throws. “We get three layups and a couple of free throws in the last three minutes, and we miss all of them,” Denver coach George Karl said. “Our offensive confidence is a little short right now.”
TV: 8 p.m. ET, KCAL (Lakers), Altitude (Nuggets)
ABOUT THE LAKERS (3-2): While Bynum had one of the best games of his career, you have to wonder how much he might have left for a back-to-back in the Mile High City. Bynum played 32 minutes and admitted he was worn out. “I was winded like crazy,” the 7-footer said. “I couldn’t breathe in the first six minutes. Defensively, getting back and all those things require me to be in better condition. So it’s going to take a little while.”
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (2-2): The Nuggets don’t have time to lament their poor finish in Los Angeles when Danilo Gallinari (3 of 12) missed an open layup and shot an air ball on a 3-pointer. Al Harrington missed a 3-pointer on the same possession and Ty Lawson missed two free throws with 1:10 left and Denver down by two. “It's a little more powerful, it's a little more miserable,” Karl said of Gallinari’s late missed layup. “But the sun will come out tomorrow.”
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The rematch marks the first time since 1959-60 – when the Lakers were still in Minneapolis – that they have played on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
2. Kobe Bryant needs four points to reach 28,000 for his career and become the sixth player to reach the milestone.
3. Derek Fisher has played in 500 consecutive games, the longest streak among active NBA players.