Lakers vs Nuggets: Game One

Final score: 88-103 (Lakers lead 1-0)

Kobe Bryant had 31 points and Andrew Bynum equaled a playoff record with 10 blocks as the LA Lakers easily beat the Denver Nuggets. Bynum recorded a triple double on the night with 10 points, 13 rebounds and 10 blocks but Kobe’s vintage performance was what paced the Lakers. Bryant was aggressive all night and finished 9 of 11 from the freethrow line. He also only took two threes for the game as he found the right mix of inside and outside game.

Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images

“Monstrous. He was an absolute beast down there.”
– Lakers coach Mike Brown on Bynum

Danilo Gallinari led the Nuggets with 19 points and was 7-14 from the field but it wasnt enough as the Nuggets were held to just 35 percent shooting. All five starters scored in double digits for the Lakers, Ramon Sessions stepping up to the plate in his first Laker playoff game with 14 points and 5 assists.