The Nuggets did the impossible.

On a strange and snowy Sunday, while the Rockies rested, the Nuggets went into LA and shocked the mightly Lakers.  The 95-90 win validated the “new look” Nuggets in front a national audience.  The game was broadcast on CBS as part of the network’s Sunday double-header.

Prior to facing the Nuggets, the Lakers were 17-1 since the All-Star break and perfect at Staples Center.  Despite not playing their best game defensively and being on the wrong end of one-sided officiating, the Nuggets never let the Lakers pull away.  They never trailed by more than 7 points; not even in the third quarter, when LA is known for running teams out of the gym.  The Nuggets refused to be intimidated by the gravity of the game.

“It’s a big win…you hear Lakers, you hear Dallas, certain teams. But you have to talk about the Nuggets too.” – Raymond Felton

 

With the victory, the Nuggets clinched a spot in the 2011 NBA playoffs.  They are currently the fifth seed, three games behind Oklahoma City and two ahead of Portland.  The Lakers are hot on the heels of San Antonio for the first seed, which makes the Nuggets perfomance that much more impressive.  It wasn’t as if the Lakers had nothing to play for.

 

Yes, Raymond, you do have to talk about the Nuggets.  You have to talk about a big win in LA.  You have to talk about the trade, the lack of a “star”, team basketball, defense, fast breaks and rebounding.  You have to talk about the playoffs and what a wonderful surprise this “new look” Nuggets team has been.