Video: Michael Malone Calls Out Nuggets, Takes Blame for Loss vs. LeBron, Luka, Lakers

Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone thought the Los Angeles Lakers beat his team in every facet in Saturday's 123-100 defeat.

Malone told reporters that L.A. "out-played" and "out-coached" his team. Among other things, he cited the Lakers scoring 39 points off turnovers and getting 33 points on the fast break.

Malone also said Los Angeles' "physicality and our inability to handle it" played a role in star center Nikola Jokić making a somewhat muted impact despite putting up solid numbers. Jokić had a triple-double (12 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists) but attempted just seven shots and committed six turnovers, one below his season high.

Going off Malone's comments, you wouldn't have guessed Denver had won nine games in a row entering Saturday. The team still sits third in the Western Conference at 37-20, too.

Still, playing the Lakers was an opportunity for the Nuggets to make a firm statement on the court, and they failed to do that. Instead, Los Angeles got a huge confidence boost thanks to both the win and the performance of Luka Dončić, who finished with 32 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and four steals.

Denver has a day off before it embarks on a four-game road trip. It will face off with the Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics before returning to the Mile High City.

None of those is a gimme for the Nuggets, so Malone is probably counting on his direct remarks to get his players focused for a difficult stretch.