Nuggets rout error-prone Lakers
Celtics silence Jazz
DENVER, Colorado, Feb 26, (Agencies): Ty Lawson scored 22 points and had eight assists as the Denver Nuggets scored 78 points in the paint en route to a 119-108 thrashing of the mistake-prone Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.
Wilson Chandler scored 23 points to lead Denver, who have won three of their past four National Basketball Association games. Chandler was filling in for injured Danilo Gallinari.
The Nuggets had a huge 78-50 point advantage in the paint and also dominated on the free-throw line. The Lakers missed 17 of 31 free throws and turned the ball over 15 times.
Lakers forward Dwight Howard went just three-of-14 from the line.
Lawson has been red-hot lately and has scored 20 or more points in seven consecutive games. Heading into Monday’s contest he was averaging 26.2 points in his previous half dozen games.
Five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant scored a team-high 29 points and had nine assists and six rebounds for the Lakers, who had their three-game win streak snapped. Bryant has averaged over 28 points in his last five games.
“We came in and played a team that plays extremely well at home. They obviously have advantages on us in terms of their athleticism and speed,” said Bryant. Howard finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds in the loss. Denver seized command in the first half and never looked back. The Nuggets went on a 14-4 run late in the first quarter to take a 35-29 lead.
Kenneth Faried scored five of seven points in one stretch in the second as the Nuggets took a 52-37 lead and then led 67-54 at half-time.
After visiting Denver, the Lakers return to Staples Center arena for back-to-back games versus Minnesota and Atlanta.
Celtics 110, Jazz 107, OT In Salt Lake City, Paul Pierce scored 26 points, including seven straight in overtime, and Boston beat Utah to close out a five-game road trip.
Pierce had a chance to win it in regulation, but his 19-footer at the buzzer rimmed out.
Courtney Lee made two free throws with 1.2 seconds left in overtime to bump Boston’s lead to three, and Randy Foye’s 26footer at the buzzer missed everything. Avery Bradley added a season-high 18 points for Boston. Gordon Hayward led Utah with 26 points, Paul Millsap had 16 and Al Jefferson finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Hawks 114, Pistons 103 In Auburn Hills, Michigan, Al Horford had 23 points and 22 rebounds, and Atlanta beat Detroit for its fifth win in six games.
Josh Smith added 23 points for the Hawks, who were ahead 61-51 at halftime and led by as many as 26 in the third quarter.
The Pistons have lost three straight, all without guard Brandon Knight, who has a hyperextended right knee. Will Bynum was also out Monday because of a suspension.
Wizards 90, Raptors 84 In Toronto, Bradley Beal scored 20 points, Nene had 11 points and nine rebounds, and Washington beat Toronto for its third straight victory.
A.J. Price and Martell Webster each added 12 points for the Wizards, who won for just the fifth time in 27 road games this season. Washington’s road record is the worst in the NBA.
John Wall had 10 points and seven assists, and Emeka Okafor had eight points and 13 rebounds as the Wizards won for the 14th time in 23 games.
DeMar DeRozan scored 25 points and Kyle Lowry had 18 for the Raptors, who had won six of their previous seven.