| Game Time | 10:30 pm EST |
| Denver Nuggets Line | +4.5 |
| Los Angeles Lakers Line | -4.5 |
| Total | 233 |
| TV: | NBA TV |
In a rematch of last season’s Western Conference Quarterfinals, the Los Angeles Lakers are hosting the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers are having a very successful season so far, as Anthony Davis is having one of the best seasons of his career, and LeBron doesn’t seem to be able to stop, even in the age of 39. On the other hand, the Nuggets are still missing their star player and former MVP, Nikola Jokic, and are on the second leg of a back-to-back, so things are not looking good for them.
Below is a detailed analysis for Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers game.
Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction
Los Angeles Lakers Injury Report: Bronny James, Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schiffino are day-to-day, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jaxon Hayes and Christian Wood are out.
Denver Nuggets Injury Report: Nikola Jokic is day-to-day, Aaron Gordon, Daron Holmes and Vlatko Cancar are out
Los Angeles Lakers Recent Form and Trends
The Lakers have a 10-5 record this season and are sitting on the fourth place of the West. LA is 7-8 against the spread and 9-6 in over/under. The Lakers have a 7-1 home record, and 5-3 against the spread, with a +7.3-point differential. The Lakers are 6-1 in their last 7 games, but just 1-4 against the spread in their last 5. Over is 4-1 in their last 5 games.
The Lakers are coming off a 118-119 loss by Orlando, as Anthony Davis missed two crucial free throws in the last minute, and Franz Wagner gave Orlando the win with a buzzer beater. The Lakers shot with 51% from the field and were led in scoring by Anthony Davis with 39 points and 9 rebounds.
Anthony Davis leads the Lakers both in scoring with 31.3 points and in rebounding with 11.2 per game, as he is having one of the best seasons of his career so far. LeBron James adds 24 points, 8.3 rebounds and a team-high 9.3 assists.
Denver Nuggets Recent Form and Trends
The Nuggets have an 8-5 record this season and are sitting on the 5th place of the West. Denver is 5-7-1 against the spread and 9-4 in over/under. The Nuggets have a 3-3 road record, but 2-4 against the spread, with a -1-point differential. The Nuggets are 6-2 in their last 8 games but 1-1-2 against the spread. Over is 8-2 in their last 10 games.
Denver is coming off a 122-110 road win in Memphis, shooting with 49% from the field and having five players in double digit scoring. Jamal Murray led Denver’s offense with 27 points with 5 triples, 4 rebounds and 6 assists.
Nikola Jokic leads Denver in scoring with an average of 29.7 points, in rebounding with 13.7 and in assists made with 11.7. Jamal Murray adds 18.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.5 assists.
Statistical Breakdown
Offensively, the Lakers average 117.3 point per game, ranking 6th in the league. LA boasts strong shooting percentages, with 48.4% from the field (5th) and 37.6% from beyond the arc (11th). Defensively, they have been less effective, allowing 116.2 points per game, which ranks 24th in the NBA.
Offensively, the Nuggets are averaging 116.5 points per game, which ranks 8th in the NBA. Denver shoots with 46.8% from the field (11th), and with 38% from beyond the arc (6th). Defensively, they are allowing 115.1 points per game, which ranks 23rd in the NBA.
The Nuggets eliminated the Lakers in the Western Conference quarterfinals last season with 4-1 wins. Denver is 9-1 in their last 10 meetings and 7-3 against the spread. Under is 7-2 in their last 9 meetings.
Prediction
In this Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction, the Lakers are coming as home favorites. This is another tough game to predict, as it solely depends of the status of Nikola Jokic. Both teams are coming in hot offensively, as they are 12-3 to the over in their last 15 games combined. They both have top-8 offenses this season, averaging 233.8 points combined, and they are both on the top-11 of the league in both shooting percentages. Even without Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets will have to score in order to match the Lakers’ offense, so I expect fireworks offensively in this game. Take the over the total.
Nick’s Pick: Over 233