The Los Angeles Lakers were able to avoid losing two in a row, beating the Denver Nuggets 105-96 behind the combined production from LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

LeBron was quick to point out that AD was the one who set the tone for the Lakers against the Nuggets. Once again, James vouched for his All-Star teammate to win the Defensive Player of the Year award this season, per Tania Ganguli of the Los Angeles Times:

“He’s been doing it all year. Playing through injuries, playing through illness like he did tonight. Defensive player of the year and he showed tonight once again playing one on one versus Joker in the post. When there were switches going on with Jamal Murray, playing one on one versus a small. Got stop after stop after stop. Just a monster game for him.”

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Davis was dealing with flu-like symptoms ahead of the game against Denver, but he eventually decided to play, and he was definitely a dominating presence for the Lakers on both ends of the floor. AD finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds, and he was also able to hold Nuggets star Nikola Jokic to just 13 points.

AD is one of the main reasons why the Lakers are a top-five defensive team in the league. He's also one of the NBA's top shot blockers with 2.7 a game.

Right now, it's pretty obvious that AD is one of the best defensive players in the NBA, and he already has a great case for Defensive Player of the Year.