Los Angeles Lakers (47-35) vs. Denver Nuggets (57-25)
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets 4/20/24 – As the NBA Playoffs ignite, the first-round clash between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets is poised to capture the spotlight on Saturday, April 20, 2024. With the Lakers securing a 47-35 record and the Nuggets impressing with a 57-25 standing, both teams are set to face off at the Ball Arena, promising a riveting battle filled with NBA Playoff free insights. Broadcasted nationally on ABC, this match-up not only pits two heavyweight contenders against each other but also tests their postseason mettle under the high stakes of playoff pressure.
This season, the Lakers have displayed offensive brilliance by scoring 118 points per game and shooting 49.9% from the field. Their successful three-point shooting is at 37.7%, booming 11.8 per game. Despite this, their away performance (18-22) against the spread suggests some vagueness mainly in stressful situations. Nevertheless, showing totals OVER in four of their last five games, they can still push the tempo and score, and this will be a vital thing to overcome the high quality defense of the Nuggets.
On the other side, the Denver Nuggets have also shown remarkable performance, particularly in their last 5 games where they are 4-1 both in the ATS and against the spread victories. With 114.9 PPG, and only 0.4% less field goal percentage compared with the Lakers (49.6%), the Nuggets show some level of balance in their game. Their defensive rebounds (33.7 per game) and fewer turnovers (11.8 per game) help create opportunities for themselves, an edge that may be enough for them to prevail in the playoff season.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets 4/20/24 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 8:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Ball Arena |
| TV: | ABC |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
LeBron James (SF) vs. Nikola Jokic (C)
LeBron James, who now plays for the Lakers as the small forward, still stays their main chestnut. Averaging 25.7 ppg and 8.3 apg this year, which clearly show his leadership and on-court vision, are like a guardian angel to his teammates. Nonetheless, the fact that the average number of his lapses (3.5 per game) is high, we have no reason to doubt his talent, and especially in clutch moments. LeBron’s skill to make the pace and involve his peers is essential in that matter for the Lakers to be successful.
Nikola Jokic has made the center position for the Nuggets completely different with the new framework of 26.4 points and 12.4 rebounds, and assisting the team with 9 assists per game. His excellent assists-to-turnover ratio of (3.0%) shows how smart and good he is. Jokic’s flexibility and capacity to widen the range of play pave his way to be a superior rival all over different matchups.
The James-Jokic dual is going to be a buff, there are threats of players that can shape the direction of the game significantly. They are going to beat each other, which will set the stage and emphasize their importance to both of their squads.
NBA Odds/Point Spread: Denver Nuggets -272, Total Odds: 223.5
The betting landscape sees the Nuggets as the favorites with a -6.5 point spread, reflecting their strong form and home-court advantage. The total set at 223.5, with recent trends suggesting a high-scoring game, aligns with both teams’ offensive capabilities.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends
The Lakers have been able to put the ball in the basket but they cannot always cover against the spread on the road. Their latest performances have attracted a great deal of betting interest from bettors who probably might place more bets on high-scoring outcomes especially given their offensive records and playoff energy.
Denver Nuggets Betting Trends
On a different note, the Nuggets have been effective in this regard not just on the court but also making betters keen to place bets against the spread. Home matches and teams that are usually consistent with the game control might offer more reliability to bettors.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets 4/20/24 Betting Picks
With the Nuggets showing fantastic form at home and better conditions, the weight of our choice is in their favor. The Lakers will probably do their best to be competitive. However, LeBron’s playoff experience is likely to make staying under this total somewhat of a challenge, making the OVER on 223.5 another attractive bet.
In terms of Best multi-handicapper picks, while the Nuggets are favored, betting on LeBron to exceed his player prop in points and assists could offer value, given his history of stepping up in playoff games. As for the game’s outcome, expect a high-energy contest with Denver ultimately prevailing.
Free Pick and Prediction: Denver Nuggets 117, Los Angeles Lakers 110.