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The Denver Nuggets will pay a visit to Crypto.com Arena to take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday afternoon. With that said, it’s a good time to check out our NBA odds series, which includes our Nuggets-Lakers prediction, odds, and pick we have laid out below.
Denver's most recent outing came in a 136-130 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite getting 38 points, 19 rebounds, and eight assists from MVP candidate Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets weren't quite able to overcome the red-hot Timberwolves. Aaron Gordon added 24 points, while Monte Morris scored 23.
Meanwhile, the return of Anthony Davis and LeBron James was not quite able to save the day for the Lakers as they lost to the New Orleans Pelicans, 114-111. James dropped 38 points, while Davis tallied 23 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. Los Angeles is in the midst of a brutal stretch to finish the regular season and is now in danger of missing the play-in tournament.
Here is how FanDuel has set the Nuggets-Lakers NBA odds for this Sunday afternoon NBA matchup.
NBA odds: Nuggets–Lakers Odds
Denver Nuggets: -3 (-110)
Los Angeles Lakers: +3 (-110)
Over: 231.5 (-110)
Under: 231.5 (-110)
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Why the Nuggets could cover the spread
Well, for one, they're facing the Lakers. Kidding aside, the 3-point spread is a bit generous considering how bad Los Angeles has been throughout the season, especially since the All-Star break, where they've gone 4-15.
Nikola Jokic is having another MVP-worthy campaign and has simply been playing on another level. He has elevated Denver throughout the season, despite having Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. out for the majority of the year.
Aaron Gordon has also been playing well in his last five outings. Over this stretch, he is averaging 19.2 points and 7.0 assists while shooting 59.7 percent from the field and 52.9 percent from beyond the arc.
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LeBron James and Anthony Davis are listed as questionable for Los Angeles, but they will likely suit up given that the Lakers are on the brink of seeing their season end. On the Nuggets' end, Murray (knee) and Porter (back) are still out as they continue to recover from their respective injuries. Zeke Nnaji (knee) and Vlatko Cancar (foot) are also listed as out.
The Nuggets ATS record is at 34-43. They've fared well on the road at 24-16.
Why the Lakers could cover the spread
It certainly helps to have Anthony Davis and LeBron James back. The two Lakers stars returned to action on Friday against the New Orleans Pelicans. James and Davis combined for 61 points, but even their efforts weren't enough for Los Angeles to prevent a big-time meltdown for Los Angeles, a story that's been all too familiar for Lakers fans all season.
But as mentioned, the two are listed as questionable ahead of this afternoon's matchup versus Denver. However, considering Los Angeles' season is on the line, it would be shocking to see one, or even both, of them sit out for this one. Aside from James and Davis, Carmelo Anthony is also on the injury report and is probable with a non-COVID illness.
Nonetheless, with players the caliber of LeBron and AD on the floor, the Lakers could be hanging around with just about any team in the league. They showed through the first half that they can dominate teams when they want to. But they will need to keep the pressure for 48 minutes to actually carve out the wins they need to keep their campaign alive.
Los Angeles is 32-45 against the spread. At home, they are just at 20-19.
Final Nuggets–Lakers prediction and pick
The Nuggets should be the pick here. It's just hard to go for the Lakers at this point, considering they've been pretty much a letdown the entire season. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are back, yes. But Nikola Jokic has been playing at an MVP level all year long.
Final Nuggets–Lakers Prediction & Pick: Nuggets: -3 (-110)
