PAU GASOL established career playoff highs with 36 points and eight assists, and he also had 16 rebounds and three blocked shots as the Lakers beat the Denver Nuggets 128-114 in Los Angeles on Sunday.

“I knew he could perform at a high level,” Lakers star Kobe Bryant said. “I think this offense has freed him up a little bit and showcased more of what he can do instead of just being in the post all the time.”

Bryant, who said he made himself a decoy through most of the game, scored 18 of his 32 points in the final 8 minutes to keep Los Angeles safely ahead. Lamar Odom had 17 points, 14 rebounds and six assists and Luke Walton added 16 points for the Lakers, who have won eight of their last nine regular-season games to earn the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.

But it was Gasol who did the most damage.

“They do an excellent job of finding him around the basket,” Denver’s Kenyon Martin said.

“Pau is so versatile, he just opens the game up,” Odom said. “He was past good, he was amazing.”

Denver coach George Karl said he didn’t believe it was just Gasol.

“I think the film will show it was the Los Angeles Lakers who tore us up,” Karl said. “Gasol played great, don’t get me wrong. He had a lot of great decisions for him to get a lot of easy baskets.”

Carmelo Anthony had 30 points and 12 rebounds for the eighth-seeded Nuggets. Allen Iverson also had 30 points before picking up two technical fouls with 2:10 remaining, calling for immediate ejection.

(SD-Agencies)

Other playoff results

Toronto 100

Orlando 114

Magic lead series 1-0

Philadelphia 90

Detroit 86

76ers lead series 1-0

Atlanta 81

Boston 104

Celtics lead series 1-0