LAKERS vs NUGGETS (POST-GAME REPORT)

LAKERS 116 - NUGGETS 102

In last night's game, the Lakers looked good, played good, and won beautifully. The Nuggets looked good, and also played good, but just did not have enough to compete with a complete Laker team. As the two top teams in the west faced each other, it was obvious that no other team in the conference can compete against the Lakers

The game started off good, and everything was pretty much even thanks to a buzzer beater shot by J.R. Smith. But in the second half, it was all Lakers as they outscored them 60-46 winning the game by 14. And they're the No. 2 team in the west? HA!

The hype of the night was the return of Andrew Bynum. And what a return it was. The man hasn't played for 32 straight games and it looked as if he never left. He started off with 3pts and 4rebs in the first half and finished with 17pts, and 7rebs while only playing 21 minutes. Phil only asked him to defend and rebound, and not to worry about scoring. Obviously Phil got more than he asked for.

Kobe led all scorers with 33 point on a pretty good 11 for 19 shooting. I honestly don't remember him missing any. The third of the Lakers big three; Pau Gasol had himself quite a night and finished with 27pts and 19rebs. 11 of those rebounds came on the offensive end making it a career high for him. Fish and Ariza didn't have as good of a game as the rest of the starters but with the bench doing they're job of with 22pts who were led by Lamar, the glue that holds the bunch.

The Nuggets had a good game themselves. Melo led them in scoring with 23pts, but it was J.R. Smith who gave them energy and production with 19pts coming off the bench. Nene and Billups chipped in 17pts a piece. Billups also had 8 assist for them. Chris "Birdman" Andersen, who is second in the league in block right behind Howard, had 1 point, 8rebs, and zero blocks. Sorry for you. Every other Nugget was pretty much a no show.

If it ever came down to it and the Lakers faced the Nuggets in the conference Finals, I have all the confidence that we'll see it to the Finals. The starters played great as well as the bench. Minutes are important towards the end of the season and the starters have been relieved of many of them. Up next, Brandon Roy and Portland Trailblazers.