If you are into numbers, lets look at the “scorecard” from last night’s Nuggets’ knockout of the Lakers.

126-113: The final score
15: The number of treys Denver hit last night (9 of those were from Chauncey Billups)
15: The number of rebounds Chris Anderson
39 and 8: Chauncey’s stat line from last night
21: The number of points Chauncey scored in the 3rd quarter; which set the record of points against the
Lakers in one quarter. Previous record holder? Wilt Chamberlain
40: The number of points for JR Smith (27) and Ty Lawson (13)
33: Kobe’s point output last night on that bad ankle
2-0: The regular season advantage Denver has over LA.
+39: The margin of victory Denver has over the Lakers this season.
0: The number of points and minutes Carmelo Anthony put up against the Lakers last night and his team won.

Now here on some stats that wont make the box score.

0: Number of cans of gel that Chris Anderson brought with him to the Staples Center. He didn’t look like “Birdman” last night. With his Kyle Korver hairstyle, his name was Christopher. Mohawk = Birdman ,No Mohawk=Christopher.
3 – 5: The number of teeth Joey Graham would’ve lost if Ron Artest would’ve connected on that “almost punch” he threw when Graham fouled him hard.
0: The percentage of confidence anybody has in Sasha Vujacic. Hey Mitch Kupchek! If you are looking to make some trades, please include him. Thanks.

As an NBA and Laker Fanatic, Denver has the Lakers backed into a corner mentally. I know these are regular season losses, but LA knows that they will see Denver again in the post-season. The Nuggets are not scared of the Lakers, and show that every time they play them. The Lakers are a better team than last year, but so is Denver. When you are getting 40 points of bench production between two people (Smith and Lawson), you have to take note. Even if Lawson wouldn’t have scored last night, it would’ve been a tied game. Factor in that Melo did not play, and that makes the victory even more important.

Here are some questions you have to consider:
Are the Nuggets more disciplined than the Lakers? No. Are the Nuggets physically tougher than the Lakers? Yes. Nugget point guards vs. Laker point guards? That match-up goes to Denver. Chauncey has dominated Derek Fisher for quite some time. Ty Lawson is a tougher player than Jordan “Finesse” Farmar. Are the Laker Bigs better than Nugget Bigs? Skill-wise? Yes, but the Nugget Bigs make the Laker Bigs wear skirts when they play. Fact is, the Nuggets know how to beat the Lakers. But will they when it counts? Denver, How bad do YOU want it?

Truth be told, the only way Melo will begin to get the respect he has deserved for quite some time, is if he can beat the Lakers and/or make it to the Finals. He took a round off and Denver still KO’d the Lakers last night. If the Nuggets do what they need to do, they have the best chance to be the No. 1 Contender for the Finals. Sorry Laker fans. I’m still family, but real recognizes real. We are losing this fight right now.

In the words of Dungeon Family rapper Cool Breeze, “Watch for the Hook!”
Watch for the Hook!