Denver Dominates Los Angeles, as Lakers Lose by 32

Maybe it was the altitude.

Paul Millsap and Jamal Murray each had 20 points as the Denver Nuggets dominated the Los Angeles Lakers, 117-85, on Tuesday night at the Pepsi Center.

It was an ugly night all around for the Lakers as LeBron James finished with just 14 points on 5-of-15 shooting.

As a team, the Lakers shot 5-for-35 from beyond the arc for a paltry 14 percent.

"When you’re 5 for 35 you’re not winning any games like that," said James of the team's atrocious three-point shooting. "It’s just that simple."

Kyle Kuzma led the Lakers with a team-high 21 points.

"I'm just playing more under control right now," said Kuzma. "I'm remaining aggressive, but also looking for my teammates more. I'm trying to be a better overall player."

With the tsuris, three-point troubles, and lack of defense, the Lakers had no chance against the Nuggets, and the problems only compounded when point guard Lonzo Ball left the game in the second quarter with a left ankle sprain and despite playing a few minutes in the third quarter, was unable to continue in the game.

"He sprained his left ankle pretty good, but wanted to give it a go," said Lakers head coach Luke Walton of the injury. "But the way he was moving out there, we didn’t feel like it was right to leave him out there on the court, so we got him out quickly."

Los Angeles trailed by 26 points midway through the fourth quarter, so Walton waived the proverbial white flag and emptied his bench with back-to-back home games upcoming on Thursday and Friday.

"I thought we got tired. We played a great pace early in the first quarter, but it didn’t carryover. I don’t know if we just didn’t adjust to the altitude," said Walton. "Not sure what it is, but a lot of those possessions, we had a lot of guys sucking for air."

Malik Beasley had 20 points off the bench for the Nuggets. Nikola Jokic added 14 points and Juancho Hernangomez had 12 for the Nuggets, who won their fourth in a row.

Thankfully for Los Angeles, Tuesday night was the one and only game at the mile-high altitude of Denver this season. 

"At shoot around this morning we got up and down and tried to get our lungs used to being up here," said Walton. "Every team has to deal with it that plays here, so it can’t be an excuse for us."

The 32-point victory was the largest over the Lakers in Nuggets franchise history, surpassing a 29-point win in 1993.

TIP-INS

Lakers: G Rajon Rondo remains sidelined with a broken right hand — he's missed the last six games — but is making progress. He has been cleared to take part in non-contact basketball activities.

Nuggets: G Gary Harris missed a second consecutive game with left ankle soreness. Torrey Craig again started in his place. ... Millsap also had 11 rebounds, giving him his fourth double-double of the season. ... Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders watched the game from courtside seats. 

UP NEXT

Lakers: Opens four-game homestand against Indiana on Thursday night. 

Nuggets: Kick off a five-game road trip at Portland on Friday night.