Recap: Denver vs. LA Lakers

Sports Network | November 14, 2009

Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Carmelo Anthony finished with 25 points, including 12 in a decisive third quarter, as the Denver Nuggets routed the Lakers, 105-79, in a rematch of last season's Western Conference Finals.

The Lakers won that series in six games on their way to winning the NBA title, but the Nuggets got some measure of revenge Friday, and used a dominating third period to do so. They outscored LA 29-8 in the quarter, as Kobe Bryant was held without a point, and the Lakers shot 4-for-20 overall and had seven turnovers.

"They drug us," said Bryant. "They played with a lot of energy and executed extremely well. We tried to keep it a manageable distance, but weren't able to do that. They broke us open pretty good."

J.R. Smith finished with 20 points, while Nene and Ty Lawson each had 13 for Denver, which entered Friday's contest having lost three of four.

"Hopefully it sends a big message, not just to the Lakers but to the whole NBA," Anthony said of the resounding victory. "We're a legit team."

Bryant and Andrew Bynum each scored 19 to pace the Lakers, who were dealt just their second loss of the season, falling to 7-2. Los Angeles had won six in a row.

It was a back-and-forth game early, as Bryant's jumper ended the first quarter for a 28-26 Lakers edge. The teams continued to trade points in the second, and just past the midway point of that quarter the Nuggets scored five in a row.

Arron Afflalo ended the burst with a free throw to make it a 47-41 game with 4 1/2 minutes to go. Denver continued to lead until halftime, but two free throws from Bryant got the Lakers within 58-56 at the break.

However, Los Angeles had major scoring trouble in the third, as Denver opened the quarter with 10 straight points, with several baskets coming off turnovers. Anthony had eight points during the run, which he ended with a layup to make it a 68-56 contest.

The Lakers got their first points of the stanza just more than four minutes in, as Lamar Odom sank a layup. Points were somewhat scarce over the next several minutes, and Bynum's dunk got LA within 77-64 with 2 1/2 minutes left.

But Denver ended the frame with another 10-0 burst. Smith ended it with a pair of threes and a layup, as the Nuggets took an 87-64 lead to the fourth, then cruised the rest of the way.

This was the first meeting between these clubs this season. The Lakers won 3- of-4 in 2008-09...Kenyon Martin had 10 points for the Nuggets...Ron Artest scored 11 for LA, while Odom finished with 14.