After opening 2014 with a 110-99 victory over the Utah Jazz, the Lakers looked to finish their four-game home stand on a high note. While the Lakers are still discussing a trade with the Cavaliers, Pau Gasol has played through the distractions and has performed well since returning from an upper respiratory infection. With a victory tonight, the Lakers can improve to 9-9 at home before they play their next 10 of 11 on the road.
To start the game, both teams tried to push the pace. Despite all the trade rumors, Pau Gasol established himself early and often in the paint. Midway through the quarter, the Nuggets had an early two point lead. After the timeout, Gasol made a couple shots to push the lead to 25-18. Unfortunately, the Lakers didn’t close the quarter and only held a three point lead after one, 29-26. Gasol had 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks.
In the second quarter, the Nuggets established themselves in the paint with numerous offensive rebounds, but couldn’t contain the Lakers on the other end. Midway through the quarter, both teams continued to trade leads as the Lakers held a one point lead. While Denver would establish a four-point lead, they weren’t able to extend the lead as the Lakers would continually close the gap. At the end of the first half, Kendall Marshall found Shawne Williams in the corner that gave the Lakers a 61-60 lead.
To start the third quarter, the Lakers came out extremely flat. While both teams were going back and forth in the first half, Nuggets established a seven point lead midway through the quarter. After a timeout, the Lakers got within four points but couldn’t cut into the deficit any further. At the end of the third, Lakers trailed 93-83. Jodie Meeks led all scorers with 19 while Kendall Marshall had 3 points and 12 assists.
The Lakers couldn’t stop Denver as the lead ballooned to 17 points two minutes into the quarter. After a timeout by Los Angeles, the Lakers tried to make a push but couldn’t make consecutive stops. Throughout the entire fourth, the Nuggets’ lead hovered around 16-20 points.
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