Lakers, Nuggets clash at Staples Center

The Lakers are No. 6 in the Western Conference playoff race, while the Nuggets are the seventh seed and own a half-game lead over the eighth-seeded Clippers.

Los Angeles plays the finale of a five-game homestand tonight and is 2-2 on the stand. Maurice Evans scored 21 points to lead the Lakers over Pacific Division-rival Sacramento, 126-103, on Sunday at the Staples Center.

Superstar Kobe Bryant finished with 19 points and 13 assists for Los Angeles, which halted a two-game losing streak. Luke Walton netted 18 points, while Andrew Bynum scored 14 and Smush Parker contributed 13 and eight assists for the Lakers, who have won six of their last eight games overall.

The Lakers are 24-13 as the host this season. They will act as the visitor on Wednesday against the rival Clippers and will visit the Seattle SuperSonics on Friday at KeyArena.

Denver wraps up a three-game road trip this evening. Carmelo Anthony posted 32 points and nine rebounds, as the Nuggets continued their push towards the postseason with a 114-103 win over the SuperSonics at KeyArena.

Allen Iverson ended with 26 points and seven assists for the Nuggets, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Linas Kleiza scored 16 points, while Steve Blake contributed 13 points and seven assists.

The Nuggets are 17-18 on the road this season. They return home to host the Kings on Wednesday and the NBA-best Dallas Mavericks on Friday at the Pepsi Center.

This is the third of four meetings between the Lakers and Nuggets this season. Both teams picked up a victory at home in the two previous contests. Denver has lost eight straight and 18 of its last 19 at the Lakers.

Denver is scheduled to host the Lakers on April 9th at the Pepsi Center.