Not only are the Los Angeles Lakers looking to remain undefeated on the season tonight, but they are also looking to snap a three-game losing streak in Denver. Here's a look at the last three losses the two-time defending champs have had in Denver:
April 8, 2010: Nuggets 98, Lakers 96
Kobe Bryant didn't play, but the Lakers managed a one-point lead at the end of three quarters. The Lakers shot 36.6% on the night, with an effective field goal percentage of 41.5%.
November 13, 2009: Nuggets 105, Lakers 79
The Lakers also played their ninth game last season in Denver, but they were only 7-1 entering this game. Shooting 34.8% from the field, with an effective field goal percentage of 38.8%, quickly dropped the Lakers to 7-2 with a 26-point drubbing. The Lakers were somehow able to regroup and secure the best record in the conference, en route to the NBA title.
February 27, 2009: Nuggets 90, Lakers 79
Stop me if you've heard this before, but the Lakers shot poorly in Denver. This game was particularly bad, as the Lakers shot 29.8% from the field. It was the second-lowest field goal percentage since the 1986-1987 season, the first year for which full game logs are available. The Lakers managed to shoot 29.4% in Utah in November 2004.
That's three losses in three games in Denver, during which the Lakers shot a combined 33.6% from the field. Call me crazy, but the Lakers ought to shoot better tonight, especially against a team that just allowed 20-of-21 in a single quarter, if they want to win tonight to break one streak and keep another one alive.
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