National Basketball Association

Carmelo, Nuggets crush Kobe, Lakers

Published Nov. 14, 2009 8:08 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Denver Nuggets don't care that the Los Angeles Lakers were tired or playing without Pau Gasol. This was one whooping worth celebrating.

Carmelo Anthony scored 25 points - two more than the Lakers scored in the entire second half - Kobe Bryant was held scoreless after halftime and the defending champs scored all of eight points in the third quarter of their 105-79 blowout loss to the Nuggets on Friday night.