Lakers swept in season series by Nuggets with 134-126 loss

Congrats, Lakers? Uh, no.

They made history for a second night in a row but it’s nothing they’ll want to remember.

They were swept by the Denver Nuggets in a season series for the first time, making it official with a 134-126 loss Friday at Pepsi Center.

The Nuggets made 54.5% of their shots from the field and the Lakers gave up more than 130 points for a third consecutive game, including a franchise-worst 48-point loss on Thursday night to the Clippers, 142-94.

Forward Kenneth Faried had a career-high 32 points on 14-for-20 shooting for Denver (27-34). Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler added 19 points on eight-for-11 accuracy.

Denver’s Ty Lawson had 30 points on 12-for-22 shooting. He’s a point guard. He also had 17 assists.

Pau Gasol had 27 points while Jordan Farmar and Ryan Kelly each had 24 for the Lakers (21-42), who clinched a losing record this season. Not that it’s overly surprising.

Their next four games almost surely won’t be much fun for them: two in a row against Oklahoma City, followed by two in a row against San Antonio.

Nuggets 110, Lakers 91 (end of third quarter)

The Lakers are 12 minutes away from making history again, but not the type they want.

They have never been swept in a season series by the Denver Nuggets, who won their first two meetings this season, but trail by 19 points heading into the fourth quarter Friday at Pepsi Center.

Their defense remains leaky, kindly letting the Nuggets shoot 59.5% from the field through three quarters.

At one point, Nuggets forwards Wilson Chandler and Kennth Faried had each made eight of 10 shots. Point guard Ty Lawson has 30 points on 12-for-17 shooting.

Power forward Pau Gasol is the only Lakers starter in double-figure scoring so far with 19 points, making nine of 18 shots.

Reserve point guard Jordan Farmar has 22 points in 16 minutes.

Nuggets 77, Lakers 66 (halftime)

At least the Lakers didn’t get outscored by 31 in the second quarter Friday.

Not that it really matters.

The Lakers trail the Denver Nuggets by 11 points at halftime at Pepsi Center.

It didn’t look good for the Lakers when they gave up 42 first-quarter points but they settled down over the next 12 minutes. Slightly, anyway.

It was certainly a better effort than their second quarter against the Clippers on Thursday night, when they were outscored, 44-13.

Lakers power forward Pau Gasol briefly left Friday’s game to get his foot retaped after turning his left ankle in the first quarter. He had 15 points by halftime. Forward Ryan Kelly added 10 points in the half.

Point guard Ty Lawson had 20 points for Denver, which shot 63.3% from the field in the first half.

Nuggets 42, Lakers 35 (end of first quarter)

The Lakers didn’t exactly shake off their worst loss in team history.

One night after getting crushed by the Clippers, they trailed the Denver Nuggets by seven points at the end of the first quarter Friday night at Pepsi Center.

The Lakers’ defense continued to be their main problem as the Nuggets to shot 75% (18 of 24) in the quarter.

The Lakers (21-41), who lost by 48 points to the Clippers on Thursday, were led by Pau Gasol’s 11 points. Gasol made five of eight shots but only one of three free throws.

Ty Lawson had 12 points for the Nuggets (26-34).

--Mike Bresnahan

Pregame

The Lakers (21-41) will play their fourth game in five days, visiting the Denver Nuggets (26-34) on Friday night.

Denver has struggled with key injuries to JaVale McGee (leg), Danilo Gallinari (knee) and Nate Robinson (knee).

The Lakers are coming off their worst loss in franchise history, a 48-point thrashing by the Clippers on Thursday night.

Jordan Hill (knee) sat out Thursday. The team is still without Nick Young (knee), Kobe Bryant (knee) and Steve Nash (nerve root irritation).

For a more in-depth breakdown, check out Preview: Lakers vs. Nuggets.

--Eric Pincus

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