Kobe's 29, 9a, 6r not enough for @lakers. Season-highs in fastbreak pts (33) & pts-in-paint (78) from @denvernuggets leads them to 119-108 W

— NBA (@NBA) February 26, 2013

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

The Lakers got throttled, 119-108 at the hands of the Denver Nuggets.

With that being said, watching the Nuggets run up and down the court, and dominate the paint, it's amazing that the Lakers were able to stay within 11 points.

If you didn't keep track of the baskets it seemed like the Nuggets were winning by about 150 for the entire game.

They ended the night with 78 points in the paint, and 33 points in transition—compared to the Lakers' three points in transition. 

The Lakers, led by Kobe Bryant's 29 points on 12-of-23 shooting, just couldn't turn the corner against an athletic Nuggets team who never let off the gas.

The real issue for the Lakers was Dwight Howard's atrocious 3-of-14 shooting from the charity stripe. I know he's not a good free-throw shooter, but 21.4 percent from the line is a new low.

It was clear that the Nuggets had home-court advantage and that the Lakers were worn down. But that's no excuse for the Lakers, because the Nuggets simply took them behind the shed and gave them an old-fashioned beat down.

Nuggets beat up the Lakers 119-108 in Denver. Lakers return home to face the T'Wolves on Thursday. bit.ly/127eAtk

— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) February 26, 2013

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

There's an emphatic exclamation point on that one. 

Pretty sure what Kenneth Faried just threw down was 100% illegal. Absolutely disgusting. I think the Nuggets have more dunks than the Lakers have points.

Nuggets 119, Lakers 108—18.3 remaining in the 4th quarter

Too little, too late. 

Kobe's now 7 for 9 in the 2nd half, 26 of 35 in the last 3 second halves (74.3%). It'll come in a loss, LAL down 12 with 1:29 left.

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) February 26, 2013

In honor of the offensive explosion tonight, check out LeBron's ridiculousness in his pre-game shoot-around.

I think this one's over for the Lake Show after that ugly possession. Missed layup, and missed put-back.

Nuggets 117, Lakers 103—2:18 remaining in the 4th quarter

The Lakers are sticking with it. Unfortunately they can't defend ANYONE. Boxing out is also an issue too.

Nuggets 112, Lakers 103—3:21 remaining in the 4th quarter

If there was ever a time for the Lakers to start playing some defense it would be now.

Denver fans cheering free taco-promotion too. Happens whenever Nuggets score 110 at home.

— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) February 26, 2013

Howard has missed at least 12 FT's 4 times in his career, including twice this season; he's 3 for 14 so far.

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) February 26, 2013

Yuck, yuck, yuck. Dwight Howard 3-of-14 from the charity stripe tonight. 

Not getting it done big man. Kobe's heating up though at just the right time.

Nuggets 106, Lakers 99—5:00 remaining in the 4th quarter

This will only matter if the guy going to the line for the Lakers isn't Dwight Howard.

LAL will shoot FT's for the rest of the game, McGee committing 2 PF's on one trip (5 team). Howard back to the FT line after a T.O.

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) February 26, 2013

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

I think it's safe to say that the Lakers can't compete with teams that have athletic guards. Dribble penetration is absolutely killing them.

On a side note, these Nuggets announcers are hating on the refs pretty hard.

Nuggets 106, Lakers 95—5:57 remaining in the 4th quarter

Or Mike D'Antoni could put Steve Nash back into the game ... Ask and you shall receive. 

Kobe has to guard Ty Lawson, Meeks has to guard Wilson Chandler. Awful match up for Lakers.

— BBALLBREAKDOWN (@bballSource) February 26, 2013

Holy paint scoring Batman!

With those past two blocks at the rim & FB points on the other end, Denver is up to 70 paint points, an opponent season high.

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) February 26, 2013

It's Black Mamba time. Let's see if he's got some gas left in the tank.

Nuggets 102, Lakers 93—7:20 remaining in the 4th quarter

I know you're a huge dude, but seriously Howard, 3-of-12 from the line? 

This little kid could shoot better than you.

Nuggets 102, Lakers 91—8:26 remaining in the 4th quarter

LAL had a chance to cut it to 7, but missed 2 FT's, were blocked twice at the rim, & directly gave up 2 straight FB hoops. DEN back up 13.

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) February 26, 2013

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Yikes, that's a burtal block by JaVale McGee on Dwight Howard.

The Lakers cut the lead to just 9, but let the Nuggets take it back to 13 thanks to lazy defense—shouldn't be shocking for all the Lakers fans out there.

Nuggets 102, Lakers 89—8:29 remaining in the 4th quarter

So. Much. Blood. RT @arashmarkazi: Dwight Howard is 3/12 from the free throw line. As a team, the Lakers are 12/27.

— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) February 26, 2013

The Lakers need to cut this to single digits, and buy their time until Kobe gets back in.

Nuggets 98, Lakers 89—9:39 remaining in the 4th quarter

The Nuggets are a completely different team right now. No hustle, and a lack of smart plays.

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Dwight Howard finally deciding to play some defense. Unfortunately the Lakers can't capitalize, and turn the ball over on the other end.

Nuggets 97, Lakers 87—10:50 remaining in the 4th quarter

A nice play to start the 4th Q got Jamison a good look on a curl; he missed, but Howard cleaned it up, then swatted Lawson (4 blocks).

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) February 26, 2013

Not a terrible place to be with the Black Mamba on your team. Unfortunately, he's 8-of-17 from the floor tonight. 

I bet Lakers fans are hoping George Karl finds a reporter and says: "The Lakers should amnesty Kobe."

Nuggets 95, Lakers 83—end of the 3rd quarter

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

The Nuggets' fans REALLY don't like Kobe. I mean really, don't like him.

He's getting the boo treatment every time he touches the ball.

Nuggets 95, Lakers 83—26.3 remaining in the 3rd quarter