Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Postgame Grades and Analysis for LA

Behind an offensive explosion, the Denver Nuggets (16-17) blew the Los Angeles Lakers (14-20) away by a final score of 137-115 on Sunday night.

The Nuggets scored 77 points in the final two quarters alone, making the Lakers defense look miserable in the process.



They were led by Timofey Mozgov's 20 points and seven rebounds and Ty Lawson's 20 points and 12 assists.

The Lakers got another solid game out of Pau Gasol (25 points and 10 rebounds), but the lack of defense submarined their chances in the second half.



 

Key Player Grades



Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers, Power Forward/Center

Gasol did a solid job offensively for most of this game, benefiting greatly from the playmaking and passing of new point guard Kendall Marshall.

The recent D-League call-up did a good job of finding in Gasol in good spots, and Gasol did his job to knock down the open shot more often than not.

The situations that got him into trouble were isos against Mozgov. On a few occasions, Gasol caught the ball in the post and tried to go one-on-one after a clear out. The results weren't pretty. He was most effective in catch-and-shoot or catch-and-finish opportunities out of pick-and-rolls.

Defensively, Gasol struggled to keep up with the energy and activity of Mozgov, who beat him up and down the floor countless times.

Grade: B-

 

Kendall Marshall, Los Angeles Lakers, Point Guard



The playmaking is no joke, but Kendall Marshall has some pretty glaring weaknesses, and they were on display against the Nuggets Sunday.



First, consistency with his shot is going to be a problem. He scored 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting against the Utah Jazz on Friday, but followed that up by shooting just 3-of-10 from the field Sunday.

His shot is often fl...

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