Nuggets coach George Karl didn't have to make a decision Friday. But he knows one soon will be coming. At some point, Karl is going to have to decide who his backup point guard is behind Chauncey Billups. Will it be veteran Anthony Carter or hot-shot rookie Ty Lawson? Carter sat out Friday's 105-79 win over the Lakers because of a strained hip. But what will his minutes look like when he returns?
"I think there's a positive role for both of them," said Karl, who was able to use both Carter and Lawson plenty in the first seven games of the season, when guard J.R. Smith was out because of a suspension. "How we go there and what we do, I think, is to be determined. I don't know. There's a decision one way or the other.
"(What might happen) is something I don't want to discuss with the media until I have a good feel and discuss it with them (the players)."
Karl did admit he's been surprised with the quick development of Lawson, averaging 10.3 points and 3.1 assists in his first 10 games.
"Can't deny that," Karl said. "He's pretty mature for a young kid."
Lawson said he's not looking at it as being a battle for minutes between him and Carter, who is averaging 3.0 points and 2.0 assists in nine games.
"We're all on the same team," Lawson said. "We're all trying to win? If we win and I sit on the bench, I'll do it. If it means going out and playing, I'll go out and play."
NUGGETS 105, LAKERS 79: It was a game for the first 24 minutes. After that, it was a rout.
The Nuggets outscored the Lakers 29-8 in the third quarter Friday at the Pepsi Center, turning a 58-56 lead into an 87-64 advantage.
Forward Carmelo Anthony led the Nuggets with 25 points and guard J.R. Smith added 20.
The game was a rematch of last spring's Western Conference final, won 4-2 by the Lakers. But it must be said that the Lakers were without star forward Pau Gasol, out for a few more weeks because of a hamstring problem, and the Lakers had played the previous night at home against Phoenix.
Still, nobody expected this kind of rout. Lakers guard Kobe Bryant had 19 points but none in the second half.
The fourth quarter was nothing but garbage time.
"Hopefully this is a big message, not just to the Lakers but to the whole NBA. We're a legit team," Anthony said.
Anthony outscored Bryant 18-0 in the second half.
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