Nuggets Hand Lakers First Loss Of Season
DENVER (AP) -- Carmelo Anthony had 32 points and 13 rebounds to rally the Denver Nuggets past Los Angeles 118-112 on Thursday night, handing the Lakers their first loss of the season.
Kobe Bryant scored a season-high 34 points and Pau Gasol had 17 points and 20 rebounds for the Lakers, who were trying to win their first nine games for the first time since the 1997-98 season.
Photo Gallery: Lakers Lose In Denver
Bryant came in needing 17 points to reach 26,000 for his career. He hit the milestone with a 13-foot jumper 49 seconds into the third quarter.
Nene had 18 points and Ty Lawson scored 17 for the Nuggets, who snapped a two-game skid.
Down 105-103, the Nuggets took over.
A 3-pointer by J.R. Smith and two baskets by Anthony sparked an 11-0 run that gave Denver the lead for good.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
