Los Angeles – Smush Parker led five players in double figures with 23 points and the Los Angeles Lakers led virtually all the way in beating the Nuggets 123-104 on Friday night.
It was the Lakers’ eighth consecutive victory over Denver at the Staples Center, where they are 13-1 all-time against the Nuggets.
Kobe Bryant wasn’t among the Lakers in double figures in coach Phil Jackson’s 899th career victory. He finished with a season-low eight points on 2-of-9 shooting and 10 assists after averaging 45 points in his previous four games.
Bryant spent the fourth quarter on the bench with both knees heavily wrapped. During a timeout, he moved over to joke with injured Lamar Odom after laughing it up with Parker, Brian Cook and Luke Walton.
Andrew Bynum added 19 points and 10 rebounds, Walton had 18 points, and Cook and Maurice Evans had 16 points each.
Earl Boykins scored 24 points for the Nuggets, who dropped their fourth straight game. Allen Iverson had 16 points – he was averaging 28.8 coming into the night – in his seventh game with Denver.
Marcus Camby added 14 points and 12 rebounds, Nene had 14 points and Reggie Evans had 13 rebounds for the Nuggets.
Parker did most of his damage in the first half, when he had 20 points and the Lakers shot 52 percent.
Bryant had two points on free throws in the first half and dished out nine of his 10 assists.
Los Angeles scored 15 consecutive points – with Parker, Bynum, Cook and Walton contributing – in the opening quarter to lead 21-9.
The Nuggets closed within seven to start the second quarter, but the Lakers stretched their lead to 14 on back-to-back 3-pointers by Evans and Jordan Farmar.
Los Angeles was up 104-87 heading into the fourth.
Notes
Bryant’s previous season-low was 15 points against Seattle on Nov. 3. … Parker finished one point off his career high of 24. … Jackson said Odom probably wouldn’t go on the Lakers’ road trip beginning Tuesday at Memphis. He’ll stay behind to continue therapy on his sprained right knee. … Denver fell to 3-5 since the NBA suspended Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith for fighting with the New York Knicks. … Former USC star and current Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart attended the game wearing Bryant’s No. 24 jersey.
