Lakers love Fish-and-dish

The Lakers’ season resumed, perhaps a little sooner than expected.

Derek Fisher couldn’t miss, the Denver Nuggets couldn’t defend, and the Lakers looked as healthy and spry as ever, even if their injury report showed otherwise.

Their 116-99 victory Monday at Staples Center shoved back rumors of their demise, as Kobe Bryant steered his way into double-double territory (17 points, 11 assists) and Kwame Brown played well enough to avoid the boos that peppered him in the Lakers’ listless loss to Phoenix on Thursday.

Of psychological relevance, the Lakers (27-12) also managed to avoid the jinxed 26-13 record that marked the beginning of their downfall last season.

The Nuggets (24-16) found out the hard way that the Lakers won’t merely pack it in for the next two months, even as another injury was added to their growing stable of wounded.

Trevor Ariza learned Monday he would be sidelined for about eight weeks because of a fractured bone in his right foot.

But the Lakers moved onward and upward, even if their team appeared destined for a hospital ward.

“We needed that,” said forward Lamar Odom, who had 15 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. “It’s important for us to play well, especially with guys going down.”

Fisher made six of seven three-point attempts and scored 28 points, one shy of his career high. Brown had seven points, 11 rebounds and a more acceptable two turnovers in 24 minutes.

Brown was booed during a seven-turnover debacle against the Suns, but he was cheered during pregame introductions against the Nuggets. He made two of his first three shots, both baskets coming on dunks, and made three of seven overall.

In fact, the loudest boos of the night came after Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin knocked down Sasha Vujacic and glared at him with 8:09 to play. Vujacic, who was fouled in the act of a three-point attempt, made two of three free throws.

It capped a busy day for the Lakers, who also signed free-agent center DJ Mbenga to a 10-day contract. Mbenga, a 7-footer who was waived by Golden State two weeks ago, went scoreless with two rebounds, two blocked shots and three fouls in five minutes against the Nuggets.

After completing a three-game sweep of the Nuggets this season, the Lakers now hit a rough two-game road patch Wednesday at San Antonio and Friday at Dallas.

“We know this is a really tough game coming up [in San Antonio], and Dallas is starting to play well again,” Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said. “Those are two games that we’re going to go out on the road and try and find a way to win one and get in the game and win two if we’re lucky.”

Fisher had a scintillating first quarter Monday, scoring 16 of the Lakers’ first 24 points. Bryant, on the other hand, was scoreless in the first quarter while being double-teamed constantly, but the Lakers led, 39-29.

In fact, Bryant didn’t score until 8:40 remained in the second quarter, although his passing kept the team balanced and efficient.

The Lakers increased their lead to 55-38, and then Nuggets All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony left the game because of a sprained left ankle with 5:51 to play in the second quarter.

The Nuggets, however, pushed back. They eventually passed the Lakers, 79-77, on a short bank shot by Marcus Camby with 3:45 left in the third quarter.

But the Lakers ended up taking the game, in a very big way, outscoring the Nuggets from there, 39-20.

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mike.bresnahan@latimes.com