Lakers forward Pau Gasol works inside against Nuggets forward Chris Andersen during the first half Thursday night. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers forward Lamar Odom mops some sweat from his brow during a break in the action against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers center Andrew Bynum fouls Denver forward Carmelo Anthony, who scores on the play in the third quarter Thursday night. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers forward Lamar Odom blocks the shot of Nuggets center Nene in the first half Thursday night. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Nuggets point guard Chauncey Billups loses his balance after colliding with Lakers center Andrew Bynum in the second half Thursday night. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers center Andrew Bynum gives the OK sign as he sits on the bench after getting his first break Thursday night agains the Denver Nuggets. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Denver guard J.R. Smith pressures Lakers guard Kobe Bryant in the first half Thursday night. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers center Andrew Bynum tries to run down a loose ball during the first half against Denver on Thursday night. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers forward Pau Gasol pulls himself up by the net after missing a close shot against Denver early in the first quarter Thursday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers center Andrew Bynum slows down Nuggets center Nene with a well-placed arm, which drew a foul call in the first half Thursday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony splits the defense of Lakers forwards Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom for a layup in the first half Thursday night. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers forward Pau Gasol grabs a rebound above Nuggets guard Dahntay Jones in the first half Thursday night. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers center Andrew Bynum battles Nuggets center Johan Petro for the jump ball to start Thursday night’s game at Staples Center. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers center Andrew Bynum practices free throws an hour before the game against Denver on Thursday night. Bynum returned to the lineup after missing 32 games with an injured right knee. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
