Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Preview
This Western Conference first-round series between the Nuggets and Lakers is currently 3-0 in favor of the Nuggets. Game four is set to tip-off at 8:30 PM ET from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and is being televised on ABC. If the Nuggets win this game, they move on to the second round. The over/under line is at 218.5 points, and the Nuggets are favored by 3.5 points. The money line odds are -164 for the Nuggets and +137 for the Lakers.
Check out BetCoco for Los Angeles Lakers – Denver Nuggets odds
Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Head-to-Head and Key Stats
The Nuggets and Lakers did not have any head-to-head matchups last season. But over the last three times playing each other, the Nuggets have a record of 3-0. The Nuggets also had the edge vs. the spread in these games, at 2-1. These games averaged a combined total of 211 points per game leading to an over/under record of 0-3.
- In their last five road games, Denver has averaged 113 points per game while allowing 106 . The team’s record in this stretch was 3-2 while going 3-2 vs. the spread.
- When looking at their past five home matchups, Los Angeles has an ATS record of 3-2 while averaging 111 per game. The team went 3-2 overall in these games.
- In their last five games as the betting underdog, the Lakers have a straight up record of 2-3 and an ATS mark of 3-2.
- The Nuggets have played well in their last three games as the betting favorite, going 3-0 straight up and 2-1 against the spread.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Prediction
Denver picked up a 112-105 win over the Lakers in the most recent game of this series. The Nuggets outscored the Lakers in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, and they were down by 8 heading into the 4th. Going into the game, the Nuggets were 1.5-point underdogs and they covered the spread. The game also fell 0.5 points short of the over/under line of 217.5 points.
Anthony Davis had a big game for the Lakers, as he finished with 33 points and 15 rebounds. As a team, the Lakers and Nuggets each made just five threes. Aaron Gordon led the Nuggets with 29 points and 15 rebounds, while Nikola Jokic also had a big game with 24 points and 15 rebounds.
The Nuggets have won four straight games and are looking to extend their road winning streak to three games. In the Western Conference, they are in 2nd place with a record of 57-25.
As the favorite, Denver has gone 55-19 this season and is favored by 3.5 points today. In their last three games as the favorite, they have gone 3-0 straight-up and 34-38 ATS.
On the road, the Nuggets have an average scoring differential of +0.9 points per game. Their ATS record on the road is 18-23, and they are 25-17 straight-up.
This season, Denver has a 34-49-2 O/U record, including three straight games finishing below the betting line. On average, their games have finished with 224 combined points.
In their most recent game against the Lakers, the Nuggets won 112-105 as 1.5-point underdogs. The O/U line for that game was 217.5.
Denver comes into the game as the NBA’s 13th ranked scoring offense, averaging 114.9 points per contest. At home, they have been even better, averaging 118 points per game compared to 111.2 on the road. The Nuggets are also one of the most efficient shooting teams in the league, ranking 4th in field goal percentage, at 49%.
Nikola Jokic is averaging 24 points per game this season and 26.4 points per game over his last five games. In his last five games, he shot 64.5% from the field. Jamal Murray is also averaging 24 points per game in his last five games, and for the season, he has hit 42.5% of his threes.
When it comes to defense, the Nuggets have been one of the best in the league this season, ranking 6th in points allowed per game at 109.3. They have been especially tough on opposing three-point shooters, ranking 2nd in three-point percentage allowed at 35.2%.
Denver has also done a good job of defending the paint, ranking 5th in two-point shooting percentage allowed at 52.7%. They have been able to do this while also ranking 10th in blocked shots per game at 5.6.
Over their last five games, the Nuggets have been even better from beyond the arc, ranking 8th in three-point percentage allowed at 31.8%. During that stretch, they have also done a good job of keeping opponents off the free-throw line, ranking 8th in made free-throws allowed per game at 13.6.
In terms of their O/U record for the season, the Lakers are 48-38. Today’s O/U line of 218.5 is lower than 84 of their previous games. The team has hit the under in four straight games.
At home, the Lakers are 20-23 against the spread and have failed to cover in three straight games. As the underdog, they are 20-20 ATS and have gone 16-24 straight-up. Today, they are getting 3.5 points as the underdog.
Los Angeles’ last three games have all been losses, and they are now 47-35 on the season. In the Western Conference, they are currently in 7th place and 3rd in the Pacific Division.
The Lakers’ last game was also against the Nuggets, and they lost by a score of 112-105. In that game, the Lakers were favored by 1.5 points. The O/U line for that game was 217.5.
On average, Lakers games have finished with 234.4 points per game this season. Today’s O/U line of 218.5 is lower than their season average of 231.9.
Los Angeles comes into the game as the NBA’s 7th ranked scoring offense, at 118 points per game. They are also 7th in scoring at home, averaging 118.7 points per contest. The Lakers are among the league leaders in pace this season, averaging 101.2 possessions per game.
Anthony Davis has been playing well of late, averaging 29.4 points per game over his last five games. This has come while hitting 60.2% of his shots from the field. Lebron James is averaging 26 points per game in his last five games, while also dishing out 11 assists. For the season, James has hit 41% of his three-point attempts.
When playing at home this season, the Lakers have given up an average of 114.5 points per game, which is 18th in the NBA. Over their last five games, they have been even better, ranking 12th in the league at 108.2 points per game allowed.
On the season, opponents have made 37.7 three-pointers per game against the Lakers, which is 28th in the league. However, over their last five games, they have been much better from beyond the arc, ranking 3rd in three-point percentage allowed at 29.5%.
One area where the Lakers have excelled defensively this season is at the free-throw line. They are 2nd in the league, allowing just 17.9 made free-throws per game. Over their last five games, they have been even better, ranking 3rd in made free-throws allowed at 12.2 per game.
Even though they are considered 3.5-point underdogs, our projection points to a 118-115 win for the Lakers.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Betting Tips
- We like the Lakers on the moneyline (+137)
- The Lakers are also our pick on the spread at +3.5
- Projecting a combined 233 points, we like the over
Los Angeles Lakers Injury Report
- Anthony Davis – Wrist – Questionable
- LeBron James – Ankle – Probable
- Christian Wood – Knee – Questionable
- Jarred Vanderbilt – Foot – Out
- Cam Reddish – Ankle – Out
- Jalen Hood-Schifino – Back – Out
Denver Nuggets Injury Report
- Reggie Jackson – Ankle – Questionable
- Vlatko Cancar – Knee – Out
