Preview: Lakers Visit Nuggets in Key Western Conference Clash DENVER (Interstat) — A pivotal Western Conference matchup unfolds Thursday night when the Los Angeles Lakers visit the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Both teams enter with nearly identical records and jockeying for playoff positioning. The Nuggets (38-24) hold a slight edge over the Lakers (36-24) in the standings. Denver is coming off a 128-125 road victory over Utah on Monday, powered by a 45-point performance from guard Jamal Murray. Murray has been on a scoring tear, averaging 31.1 points over his last seven games. His backcourt battle with Lakers star Luka Doncic will be a focal point. Doncic is averaging 26.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 8.1 assists this season. He led the Lakers to a 128-104 win over Sacramento on Sunday with 28 points and nine assists. Los Angeles has won two straight. The Lakers won the most recent head-to-head meeting, 115-107 in Denver on Jan. 20. They will look to replicate that success against a Nuggets team that is 3-3 in its last six games. Denver’s offense, which posted a season-high 157 points against Portland on Feb. 20, will test a Lakers defense that has allowed 110.8 points per game over its last five. The teams will meet again in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 14, adding immediate stakes to this home-and-home set. For the Lakers, LeBron James remains a key contributor, adding 24 points in Sunday’s win. Denver’s Nikola Jokic, who had 22 points and 12 rebounds against Utah, presents a constant triple-double threat in the frontcourt. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. MST.