Pau Gasol Leads Lakers Past Nuggets in 2012 Game 7 Thriller
pau-gasol-23-points-powers-lakers-game-7-win-nuggets-2012
LOS ANGELES — May 12, 2012 — Pau Gasol posted 23 points and 17 rebounds, guiding the Los Angeles Lakers to a 96-87 victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 7 of their Western Conference first-round matchup at Staples Center.
The Lakers entered the playoffs as the No. 3 seed after finishing the lockout-shortened season 41-25. Denver, playing its first full year without Carmelo Anthony, claimed the No. 6 seed with a 38-38 record.
Los Angeles grabbed a 3-1 series lead despite being without Metta World Peace, who served a seven-game suspension. The Nuggets answered with two straight wins, pushing the series to a decisive seventh game.
Game 7 was tight early. The Lakers led by one after the opening period and extended the margin to six at halftime. Denver erased a 16-point deficit with a strong third quarter, trimming the gap to one entering the final 12 minutes.
Gasol energized the crowd in the fourth, corralling five offensive rebounds on consecutive missed tip-ins before finally converting a layup. His effort set the tone as Los Angeles pulled away late.
Andrew Bynum added 16 points, a career-high 18 rebounds and six blocks. Reserve guard Steve Blake scored a playoff-best 19 points, while World Peace tallied 15 points in his return. Kobe Bryant contributed 17 points and eight assists.
The win advanced the Lakers to the second round, marking their fifth straight postseason series victory at Staples Center.
Source: LakersNation.com
