Pau Gasol was huge and Metta World Peace returned for the Los Angeles Lakers as they advance to the second round of the 2012 NBA Playoffs with a 96-87 Game 7 win over the Denver Nuggets.
A big fourth quarter allowed the Lakers to pull away for the victory thanks to Gasol who finished with 23 points, 17 rebounds, six assists and four blocks. Steve Blake scored 19 points off the bench while Kobe Bryant finished with 17 points and eight assists. Andrew Bynum added 16 points, 18 rebounds and six blocks despite shooting 4 of 15 from the field. Metta World Peace returned from a seven game suspension to score 15 points in the victory.
Ty Lawson and Al Harrington led Denver with 24 points each. Arron Afflalo added 15 points.
For more on this game Lakers fans should visit Silver Screen And Roll and Nuggets fans should check out Denver Stiffs. For more news and notes from the NBA Playoffs head over to SB Nation's NBA Basketball page.