The Denver Nuggets additionally abide to advance during a five-game run.
As Los Angeles tries to accretion arena in the chase for aboriginal abode in the West, the Nuggets will attending to assure a postseason anchorage back the teams accommodated Sunday at Staples Center.
The Lakers (55-20) entered All-Star weekend on a three-game accident band and sat in third abode in the appointment - 8 1/2 amateur abaft first-place San Antonio.
Los Angeles, though, bigger to 17-1 back the All-Star breach and continued the longest alive run in the alliance to nine amateur with a 96-85 achievement at Utah on Friday night.
That win, forth with the Spurs’ sixth beeline loss, confused the backstab arresting champions aural 1 1/2 amateur of San Antonio for the appointment lead.
“We appetite to win anniversary game,” said Kobe Bryant, averaging 31.6 credibility over his aftermost five. “We’re arena absolutely able-bodied and we appetite to try and accumulate it activity and see area we end up.”
The Lakers accept stepped up defensively during their acceptable streak, captivation opponents to 93.9 credibility per bold on 43.3 percent shooting. They accept won their aftermost four amateur by a boilerplate of 17.0 points.
The Nuggets (46-29), averaging an NBA-best 107.5 points, accept additionally acclimated an absorbing arresting accomplishment en avenue to recording bristles beeline wins.
Denver has bound opponents to 95.2 credibility per challenge - 7.5 beneath than its division mark - on 42.1 percent cutting during its run.
Coach George Karl’s aggregation bigger to 14-4 back trading Carmelo Anthony to New York and 13-2 back captivation opponents to 90 credibility or beneath with a 99-90 achievement at Sacramento on Friday night. Watch Live Online Give it a try >>>
