Ty Lawson, Denver Nuggets hold off Lakers in OT

Ty Lawson totaled 18 points and a season-high 16 assists and the Denver Nuggets held off the Los Angeles Lakers in overtime on Sunday, 101-94.

Both teams held two-point leads in overtime before a four-point possession by Danilo Gallinari gave Denver the edge. Gallinari split a pair of free throws at 1:49 but Timofey Mozgov tipped out the rebound to keep the ball in Denver's possession. Gallinari canned a 3 near the end of the shot clock to make it 94-90.

Kobe Bryant hit a short turnaround at the other end, but Lawson countered with a short jumper of his own.

Arron Afflalo was pure with two free throws, and Bryant's desperation 3- pointer was off the mark as the Nuggets held on to win their fourth straight game.

"Defense won this game," said Lawson. "We kept the streak going. This win was good for the organization."

Wilson Chandler paced Denver with 19 points, while Mozgov finished with 13 points and 13 boards.

Bryant scored a game-high 27 points, Jeremy Lin had 17 and Jordan Hill grabbed a game-high 14 boards for Los Angeles.

"Obviously this is disappointing," said Lakers head coach Byron Scott. "We blew it at the end."

Denver trailed by one late in the fourth when Gallinari had Lin on a switch and drove left, drawing a foul with 16.3 seconds left. Gallinari made 1-of-2, and Bryant was off the mark on a long jumper at the other end.

Denver secured the rebound on Bryant's miss and called timeout to advance the ball, but Gallinari slid his feet during his inbound pass and was whistled for a violation. Nick Young's heave missed wide left as regulation ended.

Neither team led by more than seven points in a tight 48 minutes of regulation. Denver led 21-19 after the first quarter and 41-39 at halftime.

LA erupted for 36 points in the third quarter, with Lin and Robert Sacre posting 11 and 10, respectively, on a combined 8-for-8 shooting. Denver countered with 31 though, and the hosts took a 75-72 lead into the fourth.

Game Notes

Denver has won seven straight games over the Lakers ... Denver won the rebounding margin, 57-50 ... Both teams shot under 38 percent from the field ... LA finished 3-for-24 from 3-point range ... There were 18 ties and 13 lead changes.

[SportsNetwork.com]