“They’re like a track team,” Kobe Bryant said following the loss.

Yeah, they really are. One of the reasons that the Nuggets didn’t make a deal at the deadline was because Head Coach George Karl loved the fact that his team could go out there and get it each night. With the young core, the Nuggets can out hustle anyone one, any night.

If the Nuggets can get home court in the first round of the playoffs, the opposing team needs to look out. Not only do the Nuggets have one of the youngest teams in the league, but they play at the highest altitude which makes it difficult for players to breathe during the games. As a unit that is already used to the conditions, the Western Conference needs to take notice and hope that the Nuggets finish fifth or below come playoff time.

Feb 23, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Denver Nuggets shooting guard Andre Iguodala (9) reacts a call during the second half Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Arena. Mandatory Credit: Curtis Wilson-USA TODAY Sports

The Nuggets (35-22) are back at home tonight as they welcome in the Los Angeles Lakers (28-29) to the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets have only lost 3 games at home the entire season, but Kobe Bryant and the Lakers are hoping the change that.

Denver may be with Danilo Gallinari, as he’s nursing a thigh bruise. Surging point guard Ty Lawson has been playing like an elite point guard lately, averaging just over 23 points per game over his last three. Swing-man Andre Iguodala played well last time out, for a change, scoring 13.0 points and adding 10.0 assists before fouling out in the fourth quarter.

Gallinari has scored at 19 points in every meeting against the Lakers this season. The Nuggets could miss him tonight.

For the Lakers, Bryant is averaging 39.0 points and 9.5 rebounds per game over his last two. The Lakers have won 4 of  their last 5 games, only losing to the Los Angeles Clippers. Dwight Howard is starting to overcome his slow start just a bit, averaging just under 18 points and just over 13 rebounds per game in the last 5 games. Howard has played well against Denver but not IN Denver as a Laker. The only time LA has traveled to Denver this season, Howard only had 12 points and 7 rebounds.

Match-up to watch: Iguodala vs. Bryant 

Iguodala is usually called on to match-up with the opposing team’s best scorer and he’ll likely be faced with the task of covering Bryant tonight. Bryant has been on a  roll lately and Iguodala will have to step up and try to lock him down in the Nuggets want a chance to keep the Lakers hot streak on hold.

Tip-off is set for 9:00 pm ET (7:00 MT) at the Pepsi Center in Denver.