Lakers Get a New Postscript

This much is known about the Lakers, three games into the season:

They continue to get points, a lot of them, from Kobe Bryant.

They don’t mind playing the Denver Nuggets, a playoff team last season.

And they do have a post player who can put up respectable numbers, at least on some nights.

Center Chris Mihm brushed off a forgettable two games and established an inside presence with a 20-point, 13-rebound effort in the Lakers’ 112-92 victory Sunday night over Denver at Staples Center.

There was a reminder from Phil Jackson before the game -- time to get going in the post, Chris -- and then the resulting effect.

Mihm totaled only 10 points in the Lakers’ first two games, but he had 14 points and nine rebounds in the first half to help create a 53-44 halftime lead.

For a night, he gave the Lakers the inside punch they had been lacking, able to shake off a sore left foot and tendinitis in both of his knees.

“The basic structure of this league is the stars ... four out of five nights, they can play a stellar game,” Jackson said. “Players that are workers, guys who are filling those spots that are so important in our league, if they can bring that level up to performances every other game, or two out of three, or whatever, that’s where we become a great team and not just an average team.”

Four days earlier, Bryant stunned the Nuggets by hitting a 23-footer with 0.6 seconds left in overtime at Denver, but this one started going the Lakers’ way almost immediately.

Mihm had 12 points in the first quarter, Bryant had nine, and Denver held its last lead of the game, 8-6, before the Lakers took off.

Bryant had 37 points on 16-for-31 shooting -- already his third 30-plus-point game this season -- and boosted his averages to 36.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists.

“He’s in the right rhythm,” Jackson said. “He’s taking high-percentage shots. I think he’s playing a game that is decisive and concise at the same time. I think that’s important for this team.”

Mihm had a similarly successful game early last season against the Nuggets, collecting 23 points and 12 rebounds in a one-sided Laker victory, but he was prone to inconsistent play the rest of the way, finishing with averages of 9.8 points and 6.7 rebounds.

He felt himself slipping last week after the first two games of a very young season and set himself to the task of repairing it.

“I went back and broke down some video of just myself, offensively, defensively, and I really found some areas that I could advantage of,” Mihm said. “Short jump shots, duck in front of guys and get some fouls. I got myself to open areas and I found ways to make myself effective offensively and defensively.”

With Mihm leading the way, the Lakers outrebounded the Nuggets, 46-32, shot 51.2% and held Denver to 42.3% shooting.

Lamar Odom pitched in with a well-rounded game on his 26th birthday, totaling 20 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

“The key word tonight was aggressive,” Odom said, “both on the offensive end and the defensive end.”

The Laker bench also came up with timely plays to add to the cause.

Struggling second-year guard Sasha Vujacic stole an inbounds pass from Eduardo Najera and fed Odom for a dunk to give the Lakers a 76-62 lead in the waning minutes of the third quarter. Brian Cook had four points and two assists in the opening minute of the fourth. Laron Profit’s three-pointer with 8:36 left to play gave the Lakers a 90-76 lead.

“The Lakers stole one and kicked us in one,” Denver Coach George Karl said. “The thing that really surprised me was the pressure, their ball pressure and full-court pressure.”

The Lakers forced 20 turnovers and beat the Nuggets in fastbreak points, 18-7.

In the end, there was Mihm.

“He got focused on basketball rather than on his physical things,” Jackson said. “I told him it was a good effort. That’s what we want.”

*

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

On target

Kobe Bryant’s statistics in the Lakers’ two victories, both over the Denver Nuggets:

*--* Nov. 2 Nov. 6 Minutes 44 42 Points 33 37 Field goals 13-28 16-31 Free throws 7-7 5-5 Rebounds 5 8 Assists 4 5 Steals 1 0 Blocks 2 1 Result W 99-97 (OT) W 112-92

*--*