Kuzma, Randle lead Lakers past Nuggets 112-103

LOS ANGELES — The boos started during pregame introductions. A capacity crowd at Staples Center on Tuesday night let Jamal Murray know how they felt about the incident at the conclusion of Friday’s Nuggets and Lakers matchup that dominated much of the conversation in the days leading up to the two team’s rematch.

Laker fans got the last laugh Tuesday. Behind 26 points from Kyle Kuzma — 24 of which came in the second half — Los Angeles came back from a five-point deficit after the third quarter to lead 92-89 with seven minutes remaining in regulation. The Lakers held that advantage throughout the rest of the period as Los Angeles won 112-103  and stopped Denver’s two-game winning streak.

The exclamation point came with just over a minute remaining when a Julius Randle breakaway slam after two missed free-throws from Lonzo Ball put the Lakers up nine with just over a minute remaining. Randle finished with 26 points and 13 rebounds.

The Nuggets, whose offense had been firing on all cylinders as of late, couldn’t find their rhythm in the first half. Denver shot just 41 percent from the field and 5-17 (29.4 percent) from three in the first two quarters. Murray and Wilson Chandler both had 11 at the half to pace Denver.

Murray finished with 18 points on 5-11 shooting. Nikola Jokic, who battled foul trouble in the first half and tallied just two points before the break, finished with 15 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Wilson Chandler scored a team-high 26 points on 11-16 shooting.

For the Lakers, Lonzo Ball had a quiet offensive night and finished with five points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Isaiah Thomas had a strong night off the Lakers’ bench and chipped in 23 points in 31 minutes.

Denver (37-31) hosts the Detroit Pistons (30-37) on Tuesday at Pepsi Center.