Lakers work hard to defeat Denver

Lakers 95, Nuggets 89 (final) The Lakers and Denver Nuggets know they have a rivalry. They met last season in the Western Conference finals, the Lakers wining the series in six games. The Lakers had lost the first two games this season to the Nuggets, but .LA. pulled out a hard-fought, intense game this afternoon at Staples Center. The Lakers and Nuggets meet in April at Denver for the last regular-season game. L.A. now leads Denver by 5 1/2 games for the best record in the Western Conference. The Lakers had to dig down on defense to get this win….