Kobe Turns Back Time, Leads Lakers Past Nuggets

Even in his final season, Kobe Bryant knows how to beat the Denver Nuggets. The Los Angeles Lakers veteran guard led his team to a 111-107 win in Mile High City matching a season-high 31 points.

Bryant, who also scored 31 in a 108-104 win over the Washington Wizards on Dec. 2, missed the Lakers’ previous game with a shoulder injury and returned in vintage form for his team, which improved to 5-23 for the season -- still the worst in the Western Conference and still lottery-bound.

Bryant also had 5 assists and played good defense on Nuggets guard Will Barton, who exploded for 23 points in the first half but had measly 2 points after the halftime break. Denver started well leading 34-26 after the first quarter and 64-51 after the first half. However, the Lakers outscored them 32-16 in the third quarter and grabbed the 83-80 lead entering the final period.

Jordan Clarkson had 19 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals while starters Lou Williams and Larry Nance Jr. added 17 and 10 points, respectively. Off the bench, Brandon Bass contributed 11 points and 4 blocked shots while second-year forward Julius Randle had 9 points and 10 rebounds.

Playing without starting forward Danilo Gallinari, Denver got 21 points from Gary Harris and 14 points and 9 rebounds from Kenneth Faried. Nikola Jokic added 15 points off the bench for the Nuggets, which dropped to 11-17 for the season.

The Lakers face the Oklahoma City Thunder Wednesday before the Christmas Day match-up with Hollywood rivals, Los Angeles Clippers. Denver will face the Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs in their next two games.