The Denver Nuggets got a measure of revenge against the Los Angeles Lakers, winning 99-90 on a night that saw Kobe Bryant shoot 6-of-28 from the field.
The Lakers had defeated the Nuggets in their previous game, 92-89, after Denver’s Danilo Gallinari botched a wide-open lay-up that could have tied the game in the final seconds.
This time, Gallinari was on target, scoring 20 points on 7-of-16 shooting and tallying 5 steals.
Meanwhile, Bryant struggled badly from the field, missing 22 of his shots, including 7 3-pointers. He also committed 6 turnovers and failed to get back on defense numerous times during the game.
Andrew Bynum had another strong game, with 18 points and 16 rebounds, while Pau Gasol had 20 points and 11 boards. But both players had few touches, with Gasol only having 15 field goal attempts, while Bynum had 12.
“I did not coach a good game and our players did not play a good game,” new Lakers head coach Mike Brown said afterward.
Ty Lawson had a double-double for Denver, with 17 points and 11 assists, while Nene had 13 points. Al Harrington, Andre Miller and Chris Andersen all came off the bench and scored 12 points each.
Bryant’s struggles on the court overshadowed a historic night wherein he became only the second guard in NBA history, after Michael Jordan, to score 28,000 points.
Chicago routs Memphis
The Chicago Bulls won their first game at home in the United Center, easily dispatching off the Memphis Grizzlies, 104-64.
Carlos Boozer led the Bulls with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Derrick Rose had 16 points.
The Grizzlies continue to struggle without injured point guard Mike Conley, and suffered another scare when starting forward Zach Randolph bruised his right knee.
None of the Memphis starters scored in double figures, with Randolph scoring only 2 points and Rudy Gay scoring 5.
Kings dominate Hornets sans Cousins
The Sacramento Kings showed no effects of their on-going off-court drama, easily routing the New Orleans Hornets, 96-80, at home.
Kings head coach Paul Westphal decided to bench starting power forward DeMarcus Cousins for the game after Cousins reportedly demanded to be traded, but it seemed to have little effect on the Kings.
Former Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans led all scorers with 27 points, while Marcus Thornton added 25 points.
The Hornets out-rebounded the Kings 60-41, but lacked scoring punch with starting guard Eric Gordon sitting out due to a knee injury.
Trevor Ariza topscored for the Hornets with 17 points. New Orleans missed all of their 3-point shots in the game. (ABS-CBN)
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