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The Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets clash Tuesday night in each team’s 1st game of the season. Tip from Ball Arena is set for 6:30 p.m. ET (TNT). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Lakers vs. Nuggets odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
Season series: Tied 2-2 in regular season last year; Denver swept the Lakers in a 4-game series in the postseason.
The Lakers stayed pretty much status quo in the offseason as they lost role players G Dennis Schroder and F Malik Beasley. They signed free-agent C Christian Wood, F Taurean Prince and C Jaxson Hayes in the offseason. This team will be led by F LeBron James and F Anthony Davis, and they’ll go as far as their health takes them.
The reigning champs are bringing everyone back for the title defense. They took down the Miami Heat in 5 games for the franchise’s 1st NBA Championship. The Nuggets won both matchups against the Lakers at Ball Arena last season and went 34-7 on their home floor. G Jamal Murray proved he’s all the way back from a torn ACL, and C Nikola Jokic is a nightly matchup problem and triple-double threat.
Lakers at Nuggets odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:27 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Lakers +185 (bet $100 to win $185) | Nuggets -225 (bet $225 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Lakers +5.5 (-115) | Nuggets -5.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 228.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Lakers at Nuggets key injuries
Lakers
- PF Jarred Vanderbilt (heel) out
Nuggets
- None
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Lakers at Nuggets picks and predictions
Prediction
Nuggets 111, Lakers 102
Moneyline
The Nuggets are having their ring ceremony tonight, and if you’ve watched enough sports, you know that teams can come out flat after crowning moments. Denver is such a tough place to play, though, because of the altitude. They beat the Lakers by an average of 12 points in the 2 regular season games last year. There’s no chance we’re taking the Nuggets -225 here. I do like JAMAL MURRAY OVER 22.5 POINTS (-105). He averaged 32.5 in the 4-game sweep of the Lakers in the playoffs.
Against the spread
The Nuggets covered each game against the Lakers in the regular season at home. I would consider the Lakers if the spread were 7.5, but they’re not a great 3-point shooting team. They have a tendency to let things get away late in games in fouling situations.
Take the NUGGETS -5.5 (-105).
Over/Under
Both games in Denver during the regular season went Under, though this number is the lowest of them. It’s the season opener, and I don’t expect shooting to be sharp or the pace to be quick as the teams get their bearings under them.
LEAN UNDER 228.5 (-110).
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