LOS ANGELES — Although the Los Angeles Lakers have inspired plenty of strong emotions during their title-laden history, the Denver Nuggets felt something that’s been rare in recent decades.
Pity.
Ty Lawson had 21 points and 10 assists, Danilo Gallinari scored 20 points and hit a big 3-pointer with 13.8 seconds left, and the Nuggets beat the struggling Lakers 112-105 Sunday night for their fifth win in seven games.
JaVale McGee scored 17 points for the Nuggets, who showed no signs of weariness after a home win over Utah one night earlier. Despite two last-minute 3-pointers by Kobe Bryant, Denver calmly maintained a lead throughout the fourth quarter of its second win in 12 days over the star-studded Lakers, who aren’t exactly putting fear or fury into their opponents.
“They’re struggling," Denver coach George Karl said. “It’s a great win for us, but I’m not going to get overinflated."
Staples Center was mostly silent while Los Angeles dropped to 15-18 with another mediocre performance featuring 18 turnovers, intermittent defense and little structured offense down the stretch. Bryant scored 29 points and Dwight Howard had 14 points and a career high-tying 26 rebounds for the Lakers, who have lost three straight and four of five.
“(We’re) a good team, and it’s getting better," Karl said. “I just don’t want to get too crazy with it."
Even when the Lakers did things right, they still went wrong. Bryant’s 3-pointer with 36 seconds left cut Denver’s lead to 105-102, and Howard emphatically blocked Andre Miller’s layup attempt on the Nuggets’ next possession — but the ball went straight to Gallinari, who immediately drained a 3-pointer with 13.8 seconds left.
Again, the Nuggets were almost apologetic for the pivotal play in just their fifth road win over the Lakers in 26 meetings.
“It was a lucky bounce," Gallinari said. “Dwight blocked the shot, and the ball came back to me, and Metta World Peace was right there, ready to block my shot. You don’t have a lot of time to think, especially in that situation, so I had to release it very quick."
The Nuggets hung on to their lead with big late baskets from Miller and Lawson, whose layup put Denver ahead by eight points with 1:18 to play. After Gallinari’s big shot, Bryant hit another 3-pointer with 11.2 seconds left, but Miller hit two free throws before Bryant missed another desperate 3-point try.
Also on Sunday:
Bobcats 108
Pistons 101
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Kemba Walker had 20 points and seven assists, Ben Gordon scored 18 points and Charlotte beat Detroit in overtime for just their second win in 21 games.
Heat 99
Wizards 71
MIAMI — LeBron James scored 24 points, Miami had an edge in rebounding and closed with a 21-0 run over the final 7:07 to beat Washington.
Grizzlies 92
Suns 81
PHOENIX — Zach Randolph scored 21 points and Rudy Gay added 20 to lead Memphis.
Thunder 104
Raptors 92
TORONTO — Russell Westbrook scored 23 points, Kevin Durant had 22 and Oklahoma City won for the 17th time in its past 20 games.
