Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) – Danilo Gallinari led the way with 22 points and seven rebounds, as the Denver Nuggets snapped the Los Angeles Lakers’ nine-game winning streak and clinched a playoff berth with a 95-90 victory at Staples Center. They are now 14-4 since trading Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks at the NBA Trade Deadline.
Kenyon Martin finished with 18 points and eight boards, while Raymond Felton supplied 16 points off the bench for Denver, which has won six straight and 10 of its last 12 overall. The Nuggets are in fifth place in the Western Conference.
Kobe Bryant ended with a game-high 28 points and Lamar Odom contributed 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists in a reserve role for the Lakers, who are still an impressive 17-2 since the All-Star break. They trail San Antonio, which defeated Phoenix earlier Sunday, by 2 1/2 games for the top spot in the West.
Pau Gasol posted a double-double with 16 points and 12 boards, while Andrew Bynum grabbed a game-best 16 rebounds to go with eight points in defeat.