Lakers / Nuggets Info

[Raji]

The Denver Nuggets haven't been able to play at the pace Coach George Karl would prefer without Linus Kleiza and Kenyon Martin on the court. Kleiza returned to the lineup Tuesday and Martin has a chance to play Thursday when the Nuggets head to the Staples Center to meet the Los Angeles Lakers for the first time this season.

After winning six straight games, Denver lost to the beleaguered Clippers last Wednesday, snuck by a bad Minnesota team on Friday and was blown out at Houston on Saturday. The Nuggets returned home Tuesday and fell behind 15-0 against Indiana before making a late run that fell short, 112-110.

The Lakers have also struggled of late after winning seven of their first 10 games. They snapped a three-game skid Tuesday, sneaking past a Seattle team that has won just two games this season as 12-point home favorites, 106-99 behind 35 points from Kobe Bryant.

Denver won three of four meetings last year against Los Angeles, two coming in April when Carmelo Anthony scored 31 and 33 points.

However, the Lakers have won six of seven against the Nuggets and 'covered' five of seven at the Staples Center. The home team has dominated, getting the money in 10 of the past 14 series encounters.

Denver has failed in seven of its last nine on the road ATS and in five of its last six versus teams from the Western Conference. In addition, the Nuggets are 1-9 ATS off an ATS loss.

Los Angeles has stumbled at a 7-3-1 clip when facing teams from the Northwest Division and is just 6-14-1 when playing with one days rest.

Six of the past seven series tussles in Los Angeles have dribbled below the 'total.' Denver has ducked 'under' in 12 of its last 13 against conference opposition and been on the low side in eight of its last 11 on the road. The Lakers have strayed below the number in four of their last five home outings.

Raji