Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Preview
The Lakers are looking to get back into their first-round series with the Nuggets, as they find themselves down 2-0 heading into game three. Tip-off for this matchup is set for 10:00 PM ET from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. TNT is carrying the game on TV, and the over/under line is sitting at 215 points. The Lakers are favored by a point at home and are -110 on the money line compared to the Nuggets at -110.
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 8 points per contest. Across the last three head-to-head matchups, Denver is averaging 113 points compared to Los Angeles at 105.
- In their last five games away from home, the Nuggets have a straight up record of 3-2 while going 2-3 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 114 points per game in these contests.
- Across their last three home contests, Los Angeles has a 2-1 record vs the spread. Their overall mark in these games was 1-2, while averaging 104 points per game.
- Spanning across their last ten games as the betting underdog, the Nuggets have gone 5-5 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 4-6.
- Through their last five games as the favorite, the Lakers have an ATS record of 3-2 and a straight up mark of 5-0.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Prediction
Despite a strong start from the Lakers in the 1st quarter (28-24), the Nuggets bounced back in the 2nd quarter, outscoring the Lakers 31-20. Heading into the 4th quarter, the Lakers held a 79-69 lead. The Nuggets went on to win the game 101-99, but they didn’t cover the spread, as they were favored by 7 points. The game fell 23.5 points short of the over/under line of 223.5 points.
Both teams struggled from beyond the arc in this game, with the Nuggets making just eight threes on 23.5% shooting and the Lakers making 13 threes on 43.3% shooting. Nikola Jokic had a big game for the Nuggets, finishing with 27 points, 10 assists, and 20 rebounds. As for the Lakers, Anthony Davis led all scorers with 32 points.
As the underdog, the Nuggets have won their last two games and have an underdog record of 4-6 this season. Their ATS record as the underdog is 5-5 on the road and 39-43 overall.
In terms of their O/U record, Denver is 34-48-2 for the season. Their last two games have gone under the posted totals, and today’s line is set at 215 points.
Denver’s last game was also against the Lakers, and they won by a score of 101-99. The Nuggets were 7-point favorites in that game, and the O/U line was 223.5.
The Nuggets are currently 2nd in the Western Conference with a record of 57-25. In non-conference games, they went 24-6 compared to 33-19 against the West.
On the road, the Nuggets are 24-17 this season, and they have an average scoring differential of +0.7 points per game. Against the spread, they are 17-23 on the road and 39-43 overall.
Denver comes into the game as the NBA’s 13th ranked scoring offense at 114.9 points per game. They have been a little better than that at home, at 118 points per game, but just 111.2 on the road. In terms of field goal percentage, the Nuggets are 4th in the league, connecting on 49% of their shots. Their overall three-point shooting numbers are not great, as they are 25th in three-pointers made and 29th in free throws made.
Nikola Jokic has been carrying the Nuggets offense of late, averaging 27.4 points per game in his last five games. This has come while hitting 67.5% of his shots from the field. In these games, he also averaged 13 rebounds and 8.2 assists. For the season, he is averaging 26.4 points, 9 assists and 12.4 rebounds. Jamal Murray is averaging 23.6 points per game in his last five games and 21.2 points for the season.
When it comes to defense, the Denver Nuggets have been one of the best in the NBA this season. They are currently ranked 6th in the league in points allowed per game at 109.4. One of the reasons they have been so good is their ability to defend the three-point line. On the season, they are 2nd in three-point shooting percentage allowed at 35.4%.
Over their last five games, the Nuggets have given up 108.2 points per game. During that stretch, they have struggled defending the two-point shot, ranking 22nd in two-point shooting percentage allowed at 56.2%.
On the road this season, Denver is giving up 110.5 points per game, which is 5th in the NBA. When it comes to rebounds, they are 9th in defensive rebounds per game.
The Lakers are favored by 1 point against the Nuggets today. This season, the Lakers have been favored in 45 of their 82 games and have gone 32-13 in those games. As the favorite, they have an average scoring margin of +4.8 points per game.
In Western Conference play, the Lakers are 27-25 and are currently in 7th place. Against other Western Conference teams, they are 20-10 compared to 7-10 in their division. Overall, the Lakers are 47-35.
At home, the Lakers have an average scoring margin of +4.4 points per game. Their ATS record at home is 20-22, and they have failed to cover the spread in their last two home games.
The Lakers’ O/U record for the season is 48-37, and their games have averaged 234.6 points per game. In their last three games, the Lakers have gone under the O/U line.
In their last game against the Nuggets, the Lakers lost 101-99. The Lakers were 7-point underdogs in that game, giving them an ATS win. The O/U line for that game was 223.5.
LeBron James has been playing well of late, averaging 28.2 points, 10.2 assists, and 8.6 rebounds in his last five games. Over his last five, Anthony Davis has averaged 30 points and 13 rebounds while hitting 57.7% of his shots from the field. Both players are probable for the game, with Davis dealing with a back issue and James an ankle injury.
For the season, the Lakers are averaging 118 points per game, which is 6th in the league. Their scoring average at home is 119 points per contest, which is 7th in the NBA. Los Angeles is also near the top of the league in field goal percentage, hitting 49% of their shots this year.
So far this season, the Lakers have given up an average of 117.1 points per game, which is 23rd in the NBA. At home, they have been slightly better, giving up 114.6 points per game, which is 18th in the league.
One area where the Lakers have excelled defensively is in the rebounding department. They are 2nd in the NBA in defensive rebounds per game at 43.1. In terms of steals, they are 20th at 7.4 per game.
Over their last five games, the Lakers have given up 109.8 points per game, which is 15th in the league during that stretch. During this stretch, they have been solid at defending the three-point line, allowing opponents to shoot just 34.7% from beyond the arc.
Our projections indicate that the Lakers should come out top with a projected score of 120-115.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Betting Tips
- Take the Lakers on the moneyline
- The Lakers should also cover at -1
- Projecting a combined 235 points, we like the over
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
Denver Nuggets Injury Report
- Vlatko Cancar – Knee – Out
