(4-20-08)

Lakers 128 Nuggets 114 (Lakers lead series 1-0)

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Pau Gasol (pow guh-SAHL') established playoff
highs with 36 points and eight assists and also hauled down 16
rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers turned back Denver 128-114 in
the opening game of their first-round series.
It's the first playoff victory for Gasol, who was acquired from
Memphis on February 1st after six-and-a-half seasons with the
Grizzlies. Gasol was 0-and-12 in three previous postseasons.
Kobe Bryant added 32 points with 18 coming in the final eight
minutes. Lamar Odom chipped in with 17 points, 14 rebounds and six
assists.
Carmelo Anthony had 30 points and 12 rebounds for the
eighth-seeded Nuggets. Allen Iverson also had 30 points before
picking up two technical fouls with 2:10 remaining.
The Lakers will host Game 2 Wednesday night before the
best-of-seven series moves to Denver.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)