Lakers, playing without Gasol and Bynum, beat Nuggets 106-89 in preseason game

Shorthanded Lakers beat Nuggets 106-89

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Playing without their injured inside duo of 7-footers Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, the Los Angeles Lakers routed the Denver Nuggets 106-89 in an exhibition game Thursday night.

Kobe Bryant had 23 points for the Lakers (6-1), while Lamar Odom had 17 points and nine rebounds.

Carmelo Anthony scored 28 points for the Nuggets (3-4), while Chauncey Billups added 19.

Bynum, out with a strained right rotator cuff, is day-to-day and could play in the Lakers’ final exhibition game against Denver in San Diego on Friday. But Bynum said he will “definitely” be back for the season opener Tuesday against the Clippers.

Gasol, an all-star last season, will not play in the preseason finale and it wasn’t known whether he would be ready Tuesday.

“Whether he makes it or not, I’m not worried,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said.

Josh Powell had 15 points and six rebounds for the Lakers and Shannon Brown added 10 points.

The player who gave the Lakers the most unexpected lift had to be 7-foot DJ Mbenga, the No. 3 center, who started and had eight points on 3-of-5 shooting and seven blocked shots in 26 minutes.

Denver center Nene finished with three points and six rebounds.

The Nuggets fell behind 52-46 after the Lakers went on an 8-0 run at the end of the first half.

The crowd of 15,206 in the Honda Center was able to see the dramatic end of the Angels’ 7-6 win over the New York Yankees in Game 5 of the ALCS in neighboring Angel Stadium when it was broadcast live at halftime.