Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers Preview
This Western Conference first-round series between the Lakers and Nuggets gets underway at 8:30 PM ET from Ball Arena in Denver. ABC is carrying the game on TV, and the Nuggets are the 7-point favorite. The over/under line is at 224 points, and the Nuggets are -284 on the money line compared to the Lakers at +229.
Check out BetCoco for Denver Nuggets – Los Angeles Lakers odds
Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers Head-to-Head and Key Stats
In the last three games that the Nuggets have hosted the Lakers, they are a perfect 3-0. When looking back over the last ten head to head meetings between the Nuggets and Lakers, the Nuggets hold the edge with an ATS record of 5-4-1.
- In their last ten games away from home, the Lakers have a straight up record of 8-2 while going 6-4 vs. the spread. The team averaged 118 points per game in this stretch.
- Denver has played well in their previous three home games, going 2-1 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 119 points per game while allowing 109. The team also performed well vs the spread at 2-1.
- In their last five games as the betting underdog, the Lakers have a straight up record of 2-3 and an ATS mark of 2-3.
- The Nuggets have played well in their last five games as the betting favorite, going 4-1 straight up and 4-1 against the spread.
Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction
Today, the Lakers are 15-22 as the underdog this season, and their O/U record as the underdog is 37-37. In games where they are the underdog, the average scoring differential is -4.5 points per game.
On the road, the Lakers have an ATS record of 18-22, and they have covered the spread in their last five road games. As the underdog, their ATS record is 18-19 on the road.
In terms of their O/U record, the Lakers are 48-34 on the season, and the over has hit in their last four games. Today’s O/U line is set at 224, and their games have averaged 235.5 points per game this season.
In their last game, the Lakers were 1.5-point underdogs and won the game by a score of 124-108. The O/U line for that game was 231.5, and the Lakers covered the spread.
With a record of 47-35, the Lakers are currently 7th in the Western Conference. Against Western Conference teams, they are 27-25 compared to 20-10 in non-conference games.
Los Angeles comes into the game as the 6th ranked scoring offense, both overall and on the road. For the season, they are averaging 118 points per contest. The Lakers have also been a very efficient team this year, as their team field goal percentage of 49% is the 3rd best mark in the league. In terms of pace, the Lakers are 4th in the NBA.
LeBron James has been carrying the Lakers offense of late, averaging 30.5 points per game over his last four. In these games, he shot 60% from the field. James also averaged 11.2 assists in these games. Anthony Davis is averaging 23 points and 10.5 rebounds in his last four games.
At this time, the Lakers’ defense is positioned 23rd in the NBA, permitting 117.4 points per game. Most recently, the Lakers’ defense put together a solid performance, giving up just 108 points to the Pelicans.
The Nuggets have won four straight games at home and are favored by 7 points against the Lakers. This season, they have gone 21-19 ATS at home.
In terms of their O/U record, Denver is 34-46-2 for the season. The over has hit in their last three games, and their games have averaged a combined 224.5 points.
Denver’s most recent win came against the Grizzlies, with the Nuggets winning by a score of 126-111. The O/U line for that game was 216.5 points.
Overall, the Nuggets are 57-25 this season, which is good for 2nd place in the Western Conference. Against other Western Conference teams, they are 33-19 compared to 24-6 against the East.
On the ATS, Denver is 38-42 for the season, including a 21-19 record at home. As the favorite, they are 33-37 ATS and have gone 53-19 straight-up.
This season, the Nuggets are 9th in the league in scoring at home, at 118.5 points per game. Overall, they have averaged 114.9 points per contest, which is 13th in the league. Denver’s field goal percentage of 49% is the 4th best mark in the NBA. Despite being one of the most efficient shooting teams in the league, the Nuggets are last in the league in three-point attempts and are 25th in three-point makes.
Nikola Jokic is averaging 25 points per game over his last five games while hitting 64.9% of his shots from the field. In these games, he also averaged 12 rebounds and 8.4 assists. For the season, he is averaging 26.4 points, 9 assists and 12.4 rebounds. Jamal Murray’s season scoring average is 21.2 points per game, but he has averaged 24 points per game in his last five games.
Coming into the game, the Nuggets defense has held opposing team’s to fewer points than the league average in 25.6% of their games. Currently, they are 7th in the NBA at 109.6 points per game allowed. Opponents are hitting 52.4% of their two-point field goal attempts this season, and they’re also connecting on 35.4% of their three-point attempts.
Despite being 7 point underdogs, we predict the Lakers to come out on top with a final score of 119-113.
Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers Betting Tips
- We like the Lakers on the moneyline (+229)
- The Lakers are also our pick on the spread at +7
- Projecting a combined 232 points, we like the over
Denver Nuggets Injury Report
- Vlatko Cancar – Knee – Out
Los Angeles Lakers Injury Report
- Anthony Davis – Back – Probable
- LeBron James – Ankle – Probable
- Christian Wood – Knee – Out
- Jarred Vanderbilt – Foot – Out
- Cam Reddish – Ankle – Out
- Jalen Hood-Schifino – Back – Out
