Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Preview
The Nuggets (-167) are favored by 3.5 points over the Lakers (+138) in this Western Conference matchup. Denver (35-16) is currently 3rd in the West and has won two in a row, while the Lakers (27-25) are 9th in the conference and have won three straight.
Tip-off is scheduled for 10:00 ET at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. TNT will have the TV coverage.
Check out BetCoco for Los Angeles Lakers – Denver Nuggets odds
Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Head-to-Head and Key Stats
In the last three games between Los Angeles and Denver, the Nuggets have dominated the series, going 3-0. This includes a convincing margin of victory of 9 points per contest. Across the last three head-to-head matchups, Denver is averaging 117 points compared to Los Angeles at 108.
- Through their last five road games, Denver has an ATS record of just 2-2-1. However, their overall record was 3-2 while averaging 102 points per game.
- When looking at their past five home matchups, Los Angeles has an ATS record of 2-3 while averaging 118 per game. The team went 3-2 overall in these games.
- Going back to their last ten games as the underdog, the Lakers have a straight up record of 5-5. But, their mark vs the spread was just 5-5.
- Across their last five matchups as the betting favorite, the Nuggets have an overall record of 4-1 while going 1-4 against the spread.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Prediction
The Nuggets have an O/U record of 18-32-1 this season, and their games have averaged a combined 225.4 points per game. Today’s O/U line is set at 231 points.
Denver is 33-12 as the favorite this season and has been favored in 45 of their 51 games. As the favorite, they have an ATS record of 18-25 and have gone 2-4 straight-up as the favorite.
The Nuggets are 3.5-point favorites against the Lakers and have an overall record of 35-16. In the Western Conference, they are in 3rd place and have gone 19-11 against other Western Conference teams.
In their most recent game, the Nuggets defeated the Trail Blazers by a score of 112-103. The O/U line for that game was 220.5 points, and Denver was favored by 15 points.
Denver’s ATS record for the season is 21-28, and they have lost their last two ATS. On the road, they are 9-16 ATS compared to 12-12 ATS at home.
Heading into tonight’s game against the Lakers, the Nuggets come in ranked 16th in the NBA in scoring at 114.8 points per game. However, they have been much better at home, averaging 119.5 points compared to 110.2 on the road.
Denver is one of the top shooting teams in the league, ranking 6th in field goal percentage at 49%. They are also one of the best teams at getting to the rim, ranking 2nd in two-point field goals made per game.
Despite their high field goal percentage, the Nuggets are just 12th in three-point shooting at 37%. In terms of pace, Denver is the slowest team in the league at 95.7 possessions per game.
So far, the Nuggets’ defense is ranked 4th in the league at 110.6 points per contest. In terms of two point field goal attempts, the Nuggets defense has allowed a shooting percentage of 52.8% while allowing 36.0% from downtown.
The Lakers have won three straight games and are currently 27-25, which is 9th in the Western Conference. In the Pacific Division, they are 4th.
At home, the Lakers are 17-8 straight-up and 12-13 against the spread. Their average scoring margin at home is +4.8 points per game, and they have won two straight ATS at home.
As the underdog, the Lakers have gone 8-15 straight-up and 11-12 vs. the spread. Today, they are getting 3.5 points at home. When favored, the Lakers are 19-10 straight-up and 12-17 vs. the spread.
The Lakers’ O/U record for the season is 29-23, and their games have averaged 233.3 points per game. Today’s O/U line is 231, and their games have averaged 231.3 points per game.
In their last game, the Lakers beat the Hornets by a score of 124-118. The Lakers were favored by 13.5 points in that game, and the O/U line was 227.
Against the spread, the Lakers are 23-29 this season and 12-13 at home. Their straight-up record vs. the spread is 11-12 as the underdog and 12-17 as the favorite.
At home, the Lakers are 15th in the NBA in scoring at 116.7 points per game. Overall, they are 14th in the league at 116.2 points per game. In terms of pace, the Lakers are 6th in the NBA at 101.2 possessions per game.
When it comes to field goal percentage, the Lakers are 7th in the NBA at 49%. However, they are just 28th in three-point shooting, hitting 36% of their attempts.
So far this season, the Lakers have outscored the NBA scoring average in 44.2% of their games. In terms of assists, the Lakers are 8th in the NBA with an average of 28.3 per game.
Defensively, the Lakers come into today’s game ranked 18th in the NBA at 117.1 points per game allowed. However, they have shown signs of improvements lately, ranking 15th in the league over their last three games. Inside the arc, the Lakers defense is giving up a shooting percentage of 54.1% and 37.7% from three-point territory.
Even though they are considered 3.5-point underdogs, our projection points to a 116-114 win for the Lakers.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Betting Tips
- We like the Lakers on the moneyline (+138)
- The Lakers are also our pick on the spread at +3.5
- Our NBA model projects 230 points, and we suggest taking the under
Los Angeles Lakers Injury Report
- Anthony Davis – Achilles/Hip – Questionable
- LeBron James – Ankle – Questionable
- Jarred Vanderbilt – Foot – Out
- Gabe Vincent – Knee – Out
- Cam Reddish – Ankle – Out
Denver Nuggets Injury Report
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – Hamstring – Questionable
- Vlatko Cancar – Knee – Out
