Lakers crush Nuggets despite just eight points from Kobe

Jan 6, 2007, 6:30 GMT

Los Angeles, CA - Smush Parker scored 23 points and the LA Lakers torched the Denver Nuggets, 123-104, despite only eight points from Kobe Bryant.

Earl Boykins led the Nuggets off the bench with 24 points, and Allen Iverson only managed 16 points on 5-of-17 shooting. Marcus Camby scored 14 points and grabbed 12 boards for the Nuggets, who have dropped four straight. Nene scored 14 points off the bench for Denver

Andrew Bynum scored 19 points and raked in 10 boards for LA, which has won three straight and four of its last five. Luke Walton scored 18 points and tallied eight assists for the Lakers, and Brian Cook and Maurice Evans scored 16 points apiece. Bryant finished with 10 assists to go with his eight points.

'Coming into tonight's game I didn't know what to expect, but we came out with a lot of energy,' said Parker.

LA blasted open its already sizeable lead in the third quarter. Leading 87-71, the Lakers went on a 12-4 stretch that padded their lead to 23 points. A Walton three-pointer capped the stretch, putting the Lakers up 96-73 with 3:43 left in the third.

LA maintained the 23-point advantage, leading 104-81 entering the fourth quarter.

Denver never threatened the massive Lakers lead in the fourth quarter, and trailed by as many as 28 points on its way to the 19-point loss.

'They (the Lakers) played great,' said Nuggets head coach George Karl. 'I said before the game that I think they are the best passing team in the NBA right now. I think they proved that right tonight.'

The Lakers hit the ground running in the first half, despite only two points by Bryant in the first two quarters.

LA ripped off a 15-0 run early in the first quarter, taking a 21-6 lead after back-to-back baskets by Bynum were followed by a reverse layup from Parker. The Nuggets cut into the 15-point advantage, and an Evans free throw brought Denver to within 31-25 with a minute left.

LA led 35-28 entering the second quarter.

Denver got to within 35-30 on a hook shot by Boykins in the first minute of the second quarter, but the Lakers rolled off eight straight points, and a Evans jumper put LA up 43-30 with 8:50 left.

The Lakers stretched their lead to 68-55 by halftime.

Game Notes

Iverson was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Friday for his criticism of referee Steve Javie following Denver's 108-97 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday.

Denver has lost eight straight and 18 of 19 at the Lakers.

The Nuggets are 3-5 since the suspensions of Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith for their involvement in the brawl with the New York Knicks on Dec. 16.

This was Phil Jackson's 899th career victory. He goes for No. 900 Sunday against Dallas.

© 2007 The Sports Network