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Mbenga has seven blocked shots, Lakers win

By Mike Bresnahan
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The Lakers played without Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, but DJ Mbenga was plenty healthy.

The third-string center had seven blocked shots, and the Lakers defeated the Denver Nuggets, 106-89, in an exhibition game Thursday at the Honda Center.

Bynum was out because of a strained rotator cuff in his right shoulder, and Gasol was out because of a strained right hamstring, forcing Coach Phil Jackson to start Mbenga to counteract physical Denver center Nene.

It definitely worked.

In addition to his blocked shots, Mbenga outscored Nene, 8-3.

Gasol will also sit out Friday’s rematch against the Nuggets in San Diego. In fact, he might miss the season opener Tuesday against the Clippers, Jackson said.

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Kobe Bryant had 23 points and Lamar Odom had 17 for the Lakers, who improved to 6-1 in exhibition play. Denver forward Carmelo Anthony had 28 points.

-- Mike Bresnahan

Sports Now
Mike Bresnahan

Mike Bresnahan previously covered the Lakers for the Los Angeles Times. He started the beat in 2004, a month after Shaquille O’Neal was traded, and covered several seasons of mediocrity before the Lakers won back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010. Now they’re back to mediocrity. Bresnahan is from Los Angeles, started with The Times after graduating the University of Wisconsin in 1994, and has also covered the L.A. Kings, pro beach volleyball and numerous colleges and high schools. He left The Times in 2016.

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