The winless Los Angeles Lakers (0-3) are on the road Wednesday to face the Denver Nuggets (2-2). Tip-off from Ball Arena is at 10 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Lakers vs. Nuggets odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Lakers last played Sunday when they lost 106-104 to the Portland Trail Blazers at home as 4-point favorites. Opponents are shooting 45.2% from the field and 34.7% from three.
The Nuggets’ last opponents were the Trail Blazers as well. They lost 135-110 on the road Monday as 5-point favorites. They are allowing a league-high 124.5 points per game.
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Lakers at Nuggets odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:30 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Lakers +175 (bet $100 to win $175) | Nuggets -220 (bet $220 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Lakers +5.5 (-112) | Nuggets -5.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 229.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Lakers at Nuggets key injuries
Lakers
- F Anthony Davis (back) probable
- F LeBron James (foot) probable
- G Dennis Schroder (elbow) out
- G Russell Westbrook (hamstring) doubtful
Nuggets
- F Jeff Green (finger) probable
- F Michael Porter Jr. (back) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Lakers at Nuggets picks and predictions
Prediction
Lakers 119. Nuggets 116
Moneyline
The Lakers have struggled on offense so far this season, so facing a team that struggles defensively is perfect.
Los Angeles lost by 14 points in their season opener, then by 6 and then by 2. They appear to be slowly getting set.
Both teams last played Portland. The Lakers lost by 2 while the Nuggets lost by 25.
This is the perfect recipe for the Lakers to pick up their first win of the year.
BET THE LAKERS (+175).
Against the spread
The Nuggets have only covered the spread once in 4 games, and the Lakers have not covered the spread yet this season.
Denver was very unreliable last season at home against the spread, going 16-27 ATS.
The Lakers are due for that win. Would I bet the spread over the moneyline in this case? I say PASS and go with the moneyline because the payout is so much more, but if you want a safer bet, Lakers +5.5 (-112) isn’t a bad play — it’s just that the moneyline is better.
Over/Under
The lowest total in a Nuggets game this season so far is 225 points. Their last 3 games have finished with 251, 239 and 245 points.
Only the Lakers’ opener with 232 points had more than 229 so far this season.
However, if the idea is the Lakers improve their shooting and get better offensively against a team that offers little defensive resistance, then you have to think there will be points.
The Nuggets have had 75% of their games hit the Over this season and had the 3rd-highest Over percentage last season at 57.7%.
BET OVER 229.5 (-108).
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