Denver, CO (Best E Casino) - Kobe Bryant had a game-high of 33 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers in a 104-97 victory over the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center.

Pau Gasol had 16 points to match his game-best 16 rebounds for the Lakers, who are perfect on the season at 3-0. Vladimir Radmanovic and Derek Fisher dropped 11 points each in the win.

Anthony Carter had 20 points for the Nuggets, who dropped two of their three contests to open the season. Carmelo Anthony, playing in his first game of the year after sitting out the first two due to an offseason DUI arrest, had 13 points and six assists. Kenyon Martin added 18 points, while Allen Iverson and J.R. Smith gave 13 points each in defeat.

With the game knotted 86-all, a Bryant three-pointer sparked a 7-0 run for the Lakers that gave the visitors a 93-86 cushion with five minutes left in the game. Bryant finished with six of the points on the burst.

"Kobe got going and took over in the fourth quarter," said Gasol. "They ran out of gas a little bit in the fourth."

Anthony hit a jumper and, after Bryant missed a shot, came down and nailed a three to make it 93-91 with four minutes to play. However, the Lakers rattled off seven unanswered points to get their biggest lead of the game, 100-91.

The Nuggets answered as Anthony buried a three-pointer, but Linas Kleiza fouled Bryant, who hit one from the line before Anthony drained another trey to make it 102-97 with 44 seconds left.

Smith then fouled Bryant, who hit both free throws to make it a seven-point game, 104-97 with 30 ticks showing.

Denver, though, still had some life, but Kleiza's three-point attempt caromed off the front of the rim and Gasol grabbed the ball and dribbled downcourt to run the clock out.

The Lakers took a 23-21 lead after the first quarter, but fell behind 52-46 at the half thanks to 33 percent shooting from the field in the first 24 minutes.

Carter led the way with 16 first half points to highlight Denver's 49 percent shooting effort over the first two quarters.

The Nuggets opened a nine-point lead, 63-54, on an Anthony jumper and an Iverson three with nine minutes left in the third.

Down eight later in the period, LA rallied to get right back in it. Bryant nailed a jumper and connected on a three-point play as Smith fouled him.

"The key was in the second half we played better defense, only 16 turnovers, and we rebounded well," said Lakers coach Phil Jackson.

Then after Chris Andersen botched a reverse layup, Radmanovic hit a three and Bryant drained a jumper to tie it up at 70 with just under three minutes left before the final frame.

The clubs headed into the fourth frame deadlocked 76-76.

Game Notes

The Lakers won the battle of the boards, 53-38...The Nuggets outshot the Lakers, 46 percent to 38 percent...LA will host the Clippers on Wednesday...Denver will play at Golden State on Wednesday...The Lakers swept the season series with Denver last season, winning all three matchups.