Originally published Monday, April 21, 2008 at 12:00 AM

L.A. Lakers 128, Denver 114 | Gasol reaches new heights

Pau Gasol's postgame smile made it clear how he felt about finally winning a postseason game. His numbers revealed just how much he had...

By John Nadel

The Associated Press

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DANIEL A. ANDERSON / MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS

The Lakers' Pau Gasol puts up a shot against Denver at the Staples Center on Sunday. He said he's "just one" of the Lakers who is played well against the Nuggets.

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LOS ANGELES — Pau Gasol's postgame smile made it clear how he felt about finally winning a postseason game.

His numbers revealed just how much he had to do with the victory.

Gasol established career playoff highs with 36 points and eight assists, and he also had 16 rebounds and three blocked shots Sunday as the Los Angeles Lakers took command in the third quarter and beat the Denver Nuggets 128-114.

"It feels amazing, it feels great. I had a blast out there," the 7-foot Spaniard said after shooting 14 of 20 from the floor and 8 of 8 from the foul line.

Gasol, a 27-year-old forward/center acquired from Memphis on Feb. 1 after spending 6 ½ seasons with the Grizzlies, was 0-12 in three previous postseasons.

Kobe Bryant, who said he made himself a decoy through most of the game, scored 18 of his 32 points in the final 8 minutes to keep Los Angeles safely ahead. Denver coach George Karl said he was glad Game 2 isn't until Wednesday night at Staples Center, giving the Nuggets a chance to adjust. The third and fourth games in the best-of-seven series will be played in Denver.

"I don't think anyone in our locker room is deflated," Karl said. "We know that we can play better than we did, and defense is probably the first thing we'll address."

The Nuggets should have known it wasn't going to be their day when several players were stranded on the Santa Monica Freeway for about a half-hour when the team bus broke down on the way to the game.

The Lakers led 97-78 entering the fourth quarter, but an 11-2 run by Denver made it 101-91 with 8:17 remaining. The Nuggets pulled nine behind twice down the stretch, but Bryant wouldn't let them get closer.

The Lakers outscored the Nuggets 39-22 in the third quarter after leading 58-56 at halftime.

"We just broke down [in the third quarter]," said Allen Iverson, who picked up two technical fouls with 2:10 remaining, calling for immediate ejection.

The Nuggets haven't won a playoff series since 1994, when as the eighth seed, they upset the top-seeded Sonics, coached by Karl.

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