LeBron James (ankle) as the Lakers host the Nuggets . It is the second of a back-to-back for the Lakers, which they have lost the last three games in a row and six of its last seven. Denver (43-21) is seeking its sixth consecutive victory and 10th in 11 games but is in the midst of a grueling five-game stretch in which it plays both Los Angeles teams, the Knicks, Jazz and Nets before closing the regular season with four straight on the road.