Lakers, Nuggets battle for sixth seed in West

04.9.2007

(Basketball News) - The red-hot Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers battle for the sixth seed in the Western Conference, as the teams meet tonight at the Pepsi Center.

The sixth-seeded Nuggets are one-half game ahead of the slumping Lakers. Denver has six games left on the schedule, while the Lakers have five remaining.

This is the fourth and final meeting of the campaign between the clubs. The teams split a pair at the Staples Center, and the Nuggets defeated the Lakers, 113-86, on March 15th at the Pepsi Center.

Denver has won two in a row and three of the last four contests in the series. The Lakers have dropped two straight as the visitor against the Nuggets.

The Nuggets are hot at the right time, as they enter tonight’s contest on a five-game winning streak. Allen Iverson scored 34 points and came up with a big play in the closing moments as Denver edged the Clippers, 96-93, on Saturday at the Staples Center.

Carmelo Anthony had 23 points, six rebounds and five assists in the win over the Clippers for the Nuggets, who will play four of their final six games on the road . Nene posted 11 points and seven boards, while Steve Blake poured in netted 10 and dished out nine assists in the victory.

After tonight’s contest, the Nuggets will embark on a three-game road trip. They will visit Utah, New Orleans/Oklahoma City and Memphis on the upcoming swing.

Denver is 21-18 at home this season. The Nuggets final regular season home game is on April 16th against Kevin Garnett and the Minnesota Timberwolves. They will wrap up their season against Tim Duncan and the Spurs on April 18th at the AT&T Center.

The Lakers are struggling at the wrong time. On Sunday, reigning MVP Steve Nash scored 25 points and dished out 11 assists as the Phoenix Suns held off the Lakers, 115-107, at the Staples Center.

Kobe Bryant poured in 34 points and had seven assists in the loss to Phoenix for the Lakers, who have dropped three of four and five of their last seven games overall. Smush Parker scored 25 points in defeat.

The Lakers are 16-22 as the visitor this season. They will act as the host on Thursday against Elton Brand and the Clippers at the Staples Center.

DEN LAL

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