Preview: Lakers at Denver Nuggets - Los Angeles Times
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Preview: Lakers at Denver Nuggets

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The Lakers (4-5) visit the Denver Nuggets (2-4) on Wednesday night, coming off a Tuesday-night win over the New Orleans Pelicans at Staples Center.

The Nuggets are a dominant home team when teams travel to play in the altitude of Denver on back-to-back nights.

With rookie head coach Brian Shaw, and injuries to forward JaVale McGee (broken leg) and Danilo Gallinari (knee), the Nuggets are off to a slow start.

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Even so, the Lakers will have a difficult time getting a win in Denver . . .

Key matchup

Ty Lawson is Denver’s primary scorer and playmaker, averaging 21.7 points and 7.3 assists per game.

Lawson is shooting 43.9% from the field, 38.5% from behind the arc and 81.0% from the free-throw line. He takes about seven free-throw attempts a game and has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.1-1.

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Slowing down the Nuggets starts with Lawson, but that’s no easy task.

Steve Blake will draw the assignment for the Lakers.

Offensively, Blake has shot the ball well from three-point range, converting 22 of 45 attempts (48.9%). Where he’s struggled is inside the arc, hitting just 7 of 31 (22.6%).

If Blake can provide his team with a steady outside threat while doing his best to contain Lawson (no easy task), the Lakers may have a chance to steal one on the road.

X-factor

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Athletic power forward Kenneth Faried is pushing his way back from a hamstring injury.

In his last game, his fourth start of the season, Faried scored 15 points with 13 rebounds. The Nuggets need Faried to be a presence both on the boards and in the scoring column.

The Lakers have the advantage over the 6-foot-8 Faried, starting 7-footer Pau Gasol and 6-foot-10 Jordan Hill in the front court.

Hill scored a career high 21 points on Tuesday against the Pelicans. Strong play from Hill makes the Lakers a much tougher, physical team.

Outlook

If there is a moment to steal a game in Denver on the second-night of a back-to-back, it’s on Wednesday.

The Lakers have yet to win two games in a row this season. The Nuggets are still searching for an identity while dealing with injuries.

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With Kobe Bryant (Achilles) and Steve Nash (back) out, the Lakers aren’t exactly in the best of health either.

A strong performance could bring the Lakers back to .500 but getting past the back-to-back in Denver may be too much to ask.

ALSO:

Lakers rout New Orleans Pelicans, 116-95

If Steve Nash can’t return from injury, medical retirement is option

Mitch Kupchak doesn’t expect Kobe Bryant to return in next two weeks

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Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.

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