Game Preview: Nuggets v Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers head to the Mile High City to do battle with the Denver
Nuggets at Pepsi Center on Monday night. The Lakers (20-46) have now dropped
nine of their last 10 contests, with their most recent loss coming at the hands
of the Philadelphia 76ers by a 118-116 margin on Sunday night. Dario Saric
tallied a career-high 29 points for the Sixers to spearhead the win, while
Jordan Clarkson paced the Lakers with 30. He added eight rebounds, six assists,
one steal and one block. Julius Randle totaled 21 points, 12 rebounds, three
assists and two blocks. Brandon Ingram provided 12 points, three rebounds, one
assist, three steals and two blocks. D’Angelo Russell turned in 11 points, seven
assists and four rebounds but shot just 5-of-17 from the field. The Lakers check
in to Monday’s contest without any injuries of note. The Nuggets (31-35) are
currently the eighth seed in the Western Conference and hold a 1.5-game lead
over the Portland Trail Blazers for the spot. Denver emerged victorious in five
of their last seven contests, with their most recent win having come by a 105-92
margin on Saturday night. Gary Harris led the way for Denver with 24 points,
three rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block. Nikola Jokic contributed
a 20-point, 14-rebound double-double that also included two assists and two
steals. Danilo Gallinari posted 15 points, five rebounds, two assists and one
steal. Jamal Murray led the second unit with 14 points, three boards and two
steals. On the injury front, Jameer Nelson (right hip flexor strain) and Wilson
Chandler (groin) will be listed as questionable for Monday’s contest, while
Kenneth Faried (back) is already listed as doubtful. Monday’s game will mark the
third and final meeting of the season between the two teams, and if the first
two games are any indication, the scoreboard will be running hot on Monday.
Denver notched a 127-121 victory on Jan. 17 at Staples Center and Los Angeles
returned the favor with a 120-116 win on Feb. 1 in the rematch, which was also
on their home court.