Pau Gasol had more assists in the first two games of the series than opposing starting point guard Ty Lawson as the Lakers raced to a 2-0 lead.

But Gasol became more of a passer in their Game 3 loss at Denver.

Gasol had 16 points on 7-for-13 shooting with seven rebounds and three assists. Gasol began the game attempting several mid-range jumpers.

"Pau … we saw him on the perimeter way too much," Kobe Bryant said. "We can't do that, we have to stick to our ground and pound game."