The Lakers lost last night to the Nuggets 113-96, and were underwhelming the whole time. The big disappointments; Bynum and Gasol. Right about now I am sure every Laker fan is missing World Peace just a little bit more.
The Lakers were already at a disadvantage last night, as Kobe was feeling ill with gastroenteritis. It was clear he wasn’t himself when he stepped onto the court. The dismal opening performance of the Lakers, and the Nuggets overtaking the momentum of the game, resulted in a 11-0 lead by the Nuggets 3 minutes into the game. The slaughter continued, as 6 minutes before the end of the first quarter, the score was 23-10. At the half, the Lakers were down by nine, 54-45. Kobe Bryant scored 19 points, followed by Ramon Sessions with 9.
Then it got worse. The Nuggets took advantage of the drab Laker performance. The Lakers big men were virtually nonexistent. With six minutes left in the 3rd quarter, the Lakers were down 20 points, 73-53. Even inspirational words from Kobe to his teammates at the start of the fourth quarter couldn’t ignite enough fire to get the Lakers back on track. With 7:52 in the game, the Lakers were down 101-73… almost 30 points. Kobe finished the game with 31 points. Bynum and Gasol recorded a combined 14 points and 19 rebounds.
The Numbers
Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 31 points, four assists, and two rebounds while Ramon Sessions added 14 points, three assists, and two rebounds. Andrew Bynum contributed with 11 points, 16 rebounds, four blocks, and three assists, and Devin Ebanks had 10 points. Jordan Hill tallied eight points and six rebounds as Matt Barnes had six points, five rebounds, and three assists. Pau Gasol had just three points and three rebounds in 29 minutes.
Game 7 will take place on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. PST on TNT.
Lakers Nation News
Ty Lawson is a Difference Maker for the Nuggets
Gasol’s Poor Performance Impacts His Future with LA
Mike Brown, Kobe Believe Bynum, Gasol Need to Step It Up
Video: Kobe Discusses Flagrant Foul on Kenneth Faried
Post Game Chat, Nuggets Tie Up Series
Lakers Get Embarrassed in Denver
Lakers News
To Kobe, It’s a Must-Prove Time for Bynum, Gasol [OC Register]
Honeymoon Period with Sessions Is Over [Silver Screen and Roll]
Are the Lakers Playing Too Slow? [Forum Blue and Gold]
Lakers Forced into Game 7 [LA Times]
Time Warner Cable and the Laker Channel Launch Plans [Lakers.com]
Bad Signs for Lakers in Defeat [ESPN]
Lakers Suffer Massive Meltdown [OC Register]
Why Bynum is the Worst [SI.com]
Kobe, Brown Call Out Gasol, Bynum [Hangtime Blog]
Kobe’s Flu Game Ruined By Lakers Teammates’ Ironic Lethargy [Silver Screen and Roll]
Six Things to Take from Lakers Loss [LA Times]
NBA News
Boston Celtics’ Kevin Garnett Sarcastically Thanks Atlanta Hawks’ Michael Gearon Jr. [ESPN Boston]
Kevin Garnett, The Superstar the NBA Forgot [SB Nation]
Nuggets Anderson Target of Investigation [OC Register]
George Carl Discusses Chris Anderson [Pro Basketball Talk]
LeBron James Wins MVP [SB Nation]
Vogel Accuses Heat of Flopping [CBS Sports]
Ivan Johnson Flips Off Celtics Fan [Yahoo Sports]
JJ Redick Opens Up About the Weird Season, Dwight Howard [ProBasketball Talk]
Bulls vs. 76ers Recap [ESPN]