Kenneth Faried’s Career-High 32 Points Leads The Denver Nuggets Over The Los Angeles Lakers, 134-126
By Andrew Dill
Mar 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets small forward Kenneth Faried (35) guards Los Angeles Lakers power forward Ryan Kelly (4) in the second quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
The Denver Nuggets (27-34) would sweep the season series over the Los Angeles Lakers Friday night, defeating them by the final score of 134-126. Nuggets power forward Kenneth Faried would explode for a career-high 32 points while recording 13 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block. Point guard Ty Lawson would stuff the stat sheet as well, recording a double-double of his own with 30 points on 12-of-22 shooting, dishing out 17 assists.
What is most impressive is when the Nuggets led 77-66 at halftime, Kenneth Faried, Ty Lawson, and Wilson Chandler combined for 50 of the teams 77 while shooting 21-of-23 from the field. Wilson Chandler had a solid night from the field, scoring 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting, shooting 3-of-4 from behind-the-arc.
Ryan Kelly would be a surprise for the Lakers, scoring 24 points on 7-of-14 shooting, 4-of-8 from deep, and a perfect 6-of-6 from the charity stripe coming off of the bench. Kelly would also add 11 rebounds in the losing effort. Pau Gasol did typical Paul Gasol things Friday night, scoring 27 points on 12-of-21 shooting to go along with 5 rebounds and 1 steal.
Even Jordan Farmar jumped in on the action as the guard scored 24 points on 8-of-14 shooting, collecting 4 triple’s and 4 assists. Denver would be too much for the Lakers from three-point land, knocking down 14-of-24 shots, 58.3% percent. Timofey Mozgov bounced back from some pretty rough offensive games, scoring 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting to go with 6 rebounds and 1 block.
While it has been hard forget Nuggets fans to get tacos this year with all of the injuries, they would get it in the third quarter where they finished with 110 points. Granted, that the Lakers came off of a performance where they gave up 142 points at home against the rival Los Angeles Clippers.
The Denver Nuggets (27-34) are on a two-game winning streak as they hit the road and take on the New Orleans Pelicans Sunday night at the Smoothie King Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 PM ET, 4:00 PM MT.