Philippines, 18 Apr 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


LAKERS VS NUGGETS -- Size matters but speed kills


PhilBoxing.com




WITH Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol at the helm , the Los Angeles Lakers frontline has an imposing 14 inches in length, easily dwarfing over the Denver Nuggets who only have unheralded Timofey Mozgov as the lone 7-footer in their starting unit.

That size advantage proved too daunting for the Nuggets, who lost both Game 1 (103-88) and Game 2 (104-100) at the Staples Center where this opening round showdown opened.

But when the best-of-7 series shifted to Denver Friday night for Game 3 at the Pepsi Center, the Nuggets found a way to counter LA's edge heft and height.

The Nuggets ran and ran and ran. After a 25-14 jump, point guard Ty Lawson orchestrated an improbable 28-2 spree as the Nuggets led by as many as 24 points before settling with a 55-39 halftime spread.

The Lakers slowed down the pace in the third quarter, held the Nuggets to 17 points and crept to within 72-65 heading into the final 12 minutes. But the Nuggets cranked up their attack once again in the fourth quarter, and in the high altitude air of Colorado, the Lakers just didn't have the gas to mount a full and complete comeback.

"The game for us is all about our energy and enthusiasm..It was a fun win for me. I can't remember a win as much as I enjoyed this thing," said Denver head coach George Karl whose Nuggets staggered the Lakers with 19 fastbreak points and 52 huge points inside the paint.y

"I felt like they played really well. They played with a lot of intensity and for us it was good learning experience. I'm proud of the way we battled to get back into the game. We just couldn't get over the hump," said Lakers star Kobe Bryant who missed 16 of his 23 shots to finish with only 22 points.

Bynum and Gasol combined for a total of 34 points and 19 rebounds but it wasn't enough to bail the Lakers, who made just 29 of 78 field goals (37.2 percent) and 6 of 25 threes (24 percent)

Lawson, Denver's blur of a point guard, had 25 points to engineer the Nuggets' 99-84 victory that cut the Lakers' series lead to 2-1. A pair of Nuggets big man also made a huge impact in Game 3 as 6-foot-8 Kenneth Faried and JaVale McGee combined for 28 points and 30 rebounds.

Game 4 returns to the Pepsi Center in Denver Sunday night (Homer D. Sayson)


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Hermie Rivera: A Fil-Am Original
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • LIVERPOOL FIGHT NIGHT: OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AS BEN WHITTAKER TAKES ON BRAIAN SUAREZ – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Lerasan to fight for WBO Asian Pacific bantam title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Fuentes is now ready to fight in Juego Todo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • LIVERPOOL FIGHT WEEK: PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL AS WHITTAKER GETS READY FOR TOUGH SUAREZ TEST – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Ancajas to fight as feather against Garcia on April 18
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • MVP presents Delgado-Artiga by WBA superflyweight championship on June 13 in Orlando
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Mexican legend Miguel Canto passes away
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • King Lovick Monteadora to see action in 2026 Hainan Taekwondo Open
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Quiñonero suffers injury, cancels debut in Juego Todo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: A Great Night of Boxing in Japan
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • FOSTER DEFENDS WORLD SUPER-FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE AGAINST FORD IN HOUSTON ON MAY 30
    , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Tickets ON SALE NOW for Keyshawn Davis-Nahir Albright II at Norfolk’s Scope Arena
    , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Nothing But Sportz and Ronald Johnson’s Dream Team Foundation to Donate 500 Tickets to Miami Youth for Historic May 2 Fight Night
    , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • CHARLIE SHEEHY PENS PROMOTIONAL PACT WITH MATCHROOM
    , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • BEN WHITTAKER OPENS UP ON HIS AMERICAN DREAM, CALL-OUTS AND HEADLINING IN 'SPECIAL CITY' LIVERPOOL THIS SATURDAY – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Thu, 16 Apr 2026
  • IBA partners with Global Boxing Series for landmark fight night in Navi Mumbai
    , Thu, 16 Apr 2026
  • IM Arca finishes 2nd in Thailand Blitz
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 16 Apr 2026
  • Cebuano "Money Punch" Elmo Traya Heading to Georgia for WBF World Title Shot!
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 16 Apr 2026
  • Unfinished Business: Keyshawn Davis-Nahir Albright Super Lightweight Rematch Set for May 16 at Norfolk’s Scope Arena LIVE on DAZN
    , Thu, 16 Apr 2026
  • Rhaki Constantino bags Asian HeyBall Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 16 Apr 2026
  • GARNICA VS. CORREA SET FOR WBC CONTINENTAL AMERICAS TITLE CLASH IN LONG BEACH MAY 15
    , Wed, 15 Apr 2026
  • IBA Board of Directors convenes for strategic April 2026 meeting
    , Wed, 15 Apr 2026
  • Cadalso to turn pro in Juego Todo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 15 Apr 2026
  • 2-Time World Champion Shawn Porter Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday  May 2 in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 15 Apr 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.