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The Denver Nuggets hope to win the last game of their three-game road trip as they travel to the Staples Center on Friday to face the Los Angeles Lakers. The Nuggets arrive after a 106-105 loss to the Golden State Warriors that saw Andre Iguodala's shot at the buzzer waved off.
Denver is playing against the Lakers for the first time since their postseason series last year. The Lakers won the opening-round series, but needed seven games to defeat the Nuggets.
Superstar guard Kobe Bryant leads the Lakers in scoring again this season. Kobe averages 27.7 points per game, and is currently shooting better than 50 percent from the floor. Slowing Bryant down is important for the Nuggets, but is certainly easier said than done.
Dwight Howard should also present a stiff challenge for Denver. Howard is averaging 17.9 points and 10.5 rebounds per game since being traded from the Orlando Magic to the Lakers.
Point guards Steve Nash and Steve Blake will miss Friday's game with injury, leaving Darius Morris as the starting point guard for the Lakers.
Game Time: Friday, Nov. 30; 8:30 p.m MT
Location: Staples Center; Los Angeles
TV: ESPN
Odds: Lakers -5½