[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
The Denver Nuggets (41-19) take a quick, 1-game road trip Saturday to face the Los Angeles Lakers (33-28). Tip-off is at 8:30 p.m. ET at Crypto.com Arena (ABC). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Nuggets vs. Lakers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
Season series: Nuggets lead 2-0.
The Nuggets are streaking. They have won 5 in a row since returning from the All-Star break. They are 10-4 in their last 14 games. They are coming off a 103-97 home win over the Miami Heat Thursday, just missing covering the spread as they were 6.5-point favorites.
The Lakers have won 2 in a row and are 3-2 since the break. They are 6-2 in their last 8 games. They last played Thursday a 134-131 home win over the Washington Wizards, failing to cover the 10.5-point spread as favorites.
Nuggets at Lakers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:55 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Nuggets -115 (bet $115 to win $105) | Lakers -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Nuggets -1.5 (+105) | Lakers +1.5 (-130)
- Over/Under (O/U): 228.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Nuggets at Lakers key injuries
Nuggets
- G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (personal) questionable
- F Vlatko Cancar (knee) out
- F Braxton Key (personal) out
- G Jamal Murray (ankle) questionable
Lakers
- F Anthony Davis (Achilles) probable
- F LeBron James (ankle) questionable
- F Cam Reddish (ankle) questionable
- F Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) out
- G Gabe Vincent (knee) out
- F Christian Wood (knee) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Nuggets at Lakers picks and predictions
Prediction
Nuggets 112, Lakers 105
Moneyline
The Nuggets have won 5 games in a row and, in the last 3, have allowed 103 or fewer points. They have beaten the Lakers 7 straight times.
The Lakers are fantastic at home at 22-9 and have won 4 straight at Crypto.com Arena, but their home loss was to the Nuggets last month.
The Lakers have allowed 118 or more points in 5 of their last 6 games and in 4 of 5 since the break.
I give the Nuggets the edge so betting them here is a fine bet, but betting them on the spread is better.
PASS.
Against the spread
If you like the Nuggets on the moneyline, you should like them even more against the spread. All 41 of their wins have been by 2 or more points. It is highly unlikely they win the game but don’t cover the 1.5-point spread.
Both teams have losing ATS records this season, so neither is a consistent bet to cover. But with even money odds for the Nuggets to win by 2 or more, BET NUGGETS -1.5 (+105).
Over/Under
Neither matchup between the teams has reached 228 points this season.
The Nuggets’ last 3 games have stayed below the projection for this matchup.
However, all 8 of the Lakers’ games since losing to the Nuggets last month have been over tonight’s projection.
Do you trust the Lakers more on offense or the Nuggets more on defense right now? I like Denver’s defense.
BET UNDER 228.5 (-115).
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Jess Root on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.-2
Access more NBA coverage:
HoopsHype | Bulls Wire | Celtics Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Spurs Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | LeBron Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]