Lakers-Nuggets: Lakers' Bench Pass First Test With Flying Colors

The Lakers’ Bench Mob helped extend the Lakers preseason record to 6-1 with a 106-89 win over their 2009 Western Conference Finals opponents, the Denver Nuggets.

I said in my report yesterday that the two back-to-back games against the Nuggets would go a long way in telling just how sound the Lakers’ bench is.

Before last night, the Lakers opponents consisted of non-playoff teams, Golden State, Sacramento and Charlotte.  So, the two games against the Nuggets would be key.

And the Bench Mob passed their first test against Denver with flying colors.

The Lakers bench outscored the Denver bench 49-26.  They also had more assists, 15-4, and rebounds 19-15.  You couldn’t ask for much more.

Individually, forward Josh Powell was the high scorer for the Bench Mob with 15 points. Shannon Brown picked up ten points and four assists. Jordan Farmar added eight points and three assists, and Sasha Vujacic was right behind him with seven points and three assists.

So, it wasn’t just scoring but sharing the ball, as indicated by their number of assists, that really highlighted their performance.

In addition, D.J. Mbenga, who usually comes off the bench only in rare mop up opportunities, actually got to start last night.  The Lakers two big men, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, sat out with minor injuries.

Mbenga had one of his best games ever, scoring eight points and blocking seven shots. After committing three personal fouls in the first half, Mbenga, who is used to fouling out, only had one personal foul the entire second half.

Tonight it is test No. 2 for the Lakers’ bench as they face the Nuggets in their final preseason game from San Diego.

The NBA season starts for real on Tuesday night at the Staples Center against the Clippers.  It will be Ring Night for the Lakers as they receive their NBA Championship rings from the 2008-2009 season