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The Los Angeles Lakers (40-24) and Denver Nuggets (42-24) face off Friday. Tip-off from Ball Arena is set for 9:30 p.m. ET (NBA TV). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Lakers vs. Nuggets odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Tied 1-1
Los Angeles lost 126-106 at the Milwaukee Bucks Thursday, failing to cover as a 6-point underdog while the Over (226.5) hit. G Luka Doncic had 45 points and 11 rebounds while G Austin Reaves scored 28 points, but no other Lakers player scored more than 10. The Lakers have lost 3 straight.
Denver lost 115-95 vs. the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday, failing to cover as a 1.5-point favorite with the Under (233) cashing. The Nuggets shot just 7 of 30 (23.3%) from 3-point range, and C Nikola Jokic (34 points) was the only Nuggets player to score more than 20. Denver’s bench combined for just 14 points in the loss.
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 11:45 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Lakers +600 (bet $100 to win $600) | Nuggets -900 (bet $900 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Lakers +13.5 (-110) | Nuggets -13.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 229.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Lakers at Nuggets key injuries
Lakers
(Not yet submitted — below was for Thursday’s game)
- G Luka Doncic (ankle) available
- F Rui Hachimura (knee) out
- C Jaxson Hayes (knee) out
- F LeBron James (groin) out
Nuggets
- G Christian Braun (foot) probable
- F Aaron Gordon (calf) questionable
- C Nikola Jokic (elbow) probable
- G Jamal Murray (knee) probable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Lakers at Nuggets picks and predictions
Prediction
Nuggets 118, Lakers 102
Moneyline
PASS.
I like the Nuggets (-900) to win, as the Lakers are missing key players and are on the second night of a back-to-back. However, the Nuggets are not worth the risk of betting on as such heavy favorites. PASS, and bet the spread and/or total instead.
Against the spread
LEAN NUGGETS -13.5 (-110).
Doncic put up an MVP-level performance Thursday, only to lose by 20, so it is unlikely that the Lakers will cover here with James out and Luka likely tired. The Nuggets are also 6-4 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
This is a very slight lean, as the Nuggets are just 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 229.5 (-110).
The Under has hit in 2 of Denver’s last 3 games and is 7-3 in the Nuggets’ last 10 outings. For L.A., the Under is 7-3 in its last 10 games and 34-30 on the season. It has also hit in the last 3 meetings and is 8-2 in the last 10.
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