Lakers at Nuggets
THE STORY: Denver stormed into Los Angeles and zapped the Los Angeles Clippers’ four-game winning streak with a 112-91 victory Thursday. The Nuggets head back to Denver to host the other Los Angeles team on Friday night. The trip is similar to the one the Nuggets made earlier this season. They lost to the Lakers 92-89 at Staples Center on New Year’s Eve and then closed with an 11-0 run for a 99-90 victory in the return match on New Year’s Day at Pepsi Center. The Lakers, only 2-7 on the road, start a season-high six-game trip Friday. They also will travel to Utah, Philadelphia, Boston, New York and Toronto. In addition to trying to end their road woes, the Lakers hope they can find someone to stick at small forward. Metta World Peace will start his third straight game after coach Mike Brown had used Matt Barnes and Devin Ebanks with mixed results. “I hope we can get a starter, and stay with a starter,” Brown said.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
ABOUT THE LAKERS (13-9): Andrew Bynum’s dream of being an All-Star became reality Thursday when he was named a starter for the first time in his seven seasons. Kobe Bryant was chosen for the 14th time. “I'm just in a different system,” Bynum said. “I'm getting the ball a lot more. Obviously without (Lamar) Odom here, I get more minutes. So the numbers go up.” As for the trip, Bynum referenced the importance and knows changes could be coming – in the form of free agents or trades – if the Lakers don't fare well. “These are big games for us coming up,” Bynum said. “We need to prove that we’re able to win, or else they’re going to start doing things.”
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (15-7): While Danilo Gallinari was impressive in the win over the Clippers with 21 points, including 5 of 5 on 3-pointers, Al Harrington praised Arron Afflalo’s defense on Chris Paul, who had 15 points and nine assists. “He took the challenge,” Harrington said. “CP was talking to him, chirping at him or whatever, trying to get him out of his game. But Arron stayed locked in and did a great job defensively.” Former Nugget Chauncey Billups, who scored 32 in the Clippers’ 109-105 win at Denver last Sunday, had just eight points and three assists.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Lakers are 3-7 in their last 10 games in Denver.
2. Nuggets reserve Corey Brewer was not with the team for personal reasons, and coach George Karl said he could miss the rest of the week.
3. Denver outscored the Clippers 32-16 in the third quarter and shot 65 percent.