New look Los Angeles Lakers out to change fortunes against the Denver Nuggets

DENVER – The Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets have forged a rivalry through their play-off matchups, but the National Basketball Association (NBA) showdowns have been one-sided.

Denver have won 13 of the last 14 meetings dating back to January 2023, including the last five in the regular season, and the Nuggets will try to extend that streak on Feb 22 (Feb 23, Singapore time) when they host Los Angeles.

The Lakers have a new weapon to try to stop their slide against Denver. Feb 21 likely will be Luka Doncic’s first game against the Nuggets since he was traded from Dallas on Feb 2. Doncic has played in three games since coming to Los Angeles but sat out a 110-102 win at the Portland Trail Blazers on Feb 20.

Doncic is expected to play in the second meeting between the teams this season. Denver won the first game 127-102 on Nov 23, but the Lakers are a different team now.

Since a home loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Jan 13, they have won 13 of 17 and moved within three games of the Nuggets, who currently hold the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference and have won nine straight games.

Even with Doncic on the roster, LeBron James is the catalyst for Los Angeles. He scored 40 points in the win over the Trail Blazers, becoming the first player in NBA history to score 40 or more points twice after turning 40.

“I still love the game, and I still got a lot to give to the game, to give to my teammates, to give to this league for while I’m here,” James said.

“I don’t have much time left. So while I’m here today in this time, I’m going to try to give what I