With the news that Kobe Bryant would sit out another game, the Los Angeles Lakers will turn to their big men looking for another stellar performance.
If Andrew Bynum can have a repeat of his 16 points and league-high 30 rebounds as he did against San Antonio, the Lakers may be equipped for success, even if he continues his quest to shoot threes or act rebellious in various ways.
The Lakers (37-22) look to build upon a two-game winning streak without their leading scorer against the visiting Denver Nuggets in Friday’s best game.
The Lakers have won two of three matchups between the teams by a combined seven points, including a 93-89 victory back on Feb. 3.
The teams meet for the final time this season. The Nuggets have won the season series over the previous two campaigns, taking five of seven games.
Bynum has dominated the Nuggets this season, averaging 23 points on 69.8 percent shooting with 13 rebounds per game. Pau Gasol also has had good numbers, averaging 16.7 points and 11 rebounds.
It may be a good thing for Bryant to sit against the team that has given him fits all season. He has shot a paltry 27.5 percent, converting only 19 of 69 shots in three contests.
It will be the first time Ramon Sessions will face the Nuggets in a Lakers uniform. He is averaging 13.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 7.1 assists in 16 games since joining L.A.
Denver (32-26) has won five of its last seven games and would like to build on a two-game winning streak of its own to tie the season series. The Nuggets are tied with Houston for the eighth seed in the Western Conference. However, the schedule will not be on their side the rest of the way; seven of the remaining eight games are against teams over .500, with five on the road.
Rookie Kenneth Faried looks to continue his stellar play. Over the last two games, he has averaged 21.5 points, 14.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.5 blocks.
Arron Afflalo also has picked up his play in April, averaging 19.8 points on 48.8 percent shooting – including 48.3 percent from the 3-point line – along with 4.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists.
Nuggets forward Al Harrington has a torn meniscus in his right knee but will play through it.