The Lakers are set to face the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, Apr 27. The game is scheduled for 8:30 ET while airing on ABC. Denver enters this game as 3.5-point favorites with the total set at 218. How will this one play out? Let’s dive into the Lakers vs Nuggets players props and predictions below.
Lakers vs. Nuggets Odds
- Spread: Nuggets -3.5
- Total 218
Game Info
- Date: Saturday, Apr 27
- Time: 8:30 ET
- Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles CA
- TV: ABC
Nuggets Betting Trends
- Over their last five games, the Nuggets have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.
- Through their last ten road games, Denver has an ATS record of just 5-5. However, their overall record was 7-3 while averaging 112 points per game.
- Denver has done well both straight up and vs the spread when favored to win the game, going 4-1 SU and 4-1 ATS in their last five games.
Lakers Betting Trends
- In their last five games, the Lakers have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 2-3 vs. the spread.
- The Lakers are 3-2 ATS in their last home games and 3-2 straight-up.
- Going back to their previous three games as the underdog, Los Angeles has an ATS mark of 2-1 while going 1-2 straight up.
The Nuggets picked up a 112-105 road win over the Lakers in the most recent game of this series. Denver was a 1.5-point underdog going into the game and easily covered the spread. The over/under line for the game was 217.5 points, and the teams just missed hitting the over, as they combined for 217 points. Denver outscored the Lakers in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, and they were led by Aaron Gordon’s 29 points.
Anthony Davis had a big game for the Lakers, finishing with 33 points and 15 rebounds. The Lakers and Nuggets both made just five threes in the game, and they both shot under 19% from beyond the arc. Nikola Jokic added 24 points and 15 rebounds for the Nuggets.
Can Denver Stun the Crowd at Crypto.com Arena?
Today, the Nuggets are favored by 3.5 points against the Lakers. This season, Denver has been favored in 74 of their 82 games and has gone 55-19 as the favorite. As the favorite, they have won their last three games straight-up and have an average scoring margin of +6.5 points per game.
In terms of their ATS record, the Nuggets are 40-43 for the season and 18-23 ATS on the road. They have covered the spread in their last two road games and have an average ATS record of 34-38 as the favorite.
Denver’s O/U record for the season is 34-49-2, and the under has hit in their last three games. On average, their games have finished with 224 points, which is lower than today’s line of 218.
In their most recent game, the Nuggets defeated the Lakers by a score of 112-105. They were 1.5-point underdogs going into the game and covered the spread by 7 points. The O/U line for that game was 217.5.
With a 57-25 record, the Nuggets are currently 2nd in the Western Conference. Against Western Conference teams, they have gone 33-19 and 24-6 in non-conference play. On the road, Denver is 25-17 compared to 35-8 at home.
Denver comes into the game as the NBA’s 13th ranked scoring offense, at 114.9 points per game. They have been better at home this year, averaging 118 points per game compared to 111.2 on the road. The Nuggets are one of the most efficient shooting teams in the league, connecting on 49% of their field goal attempts, which is the 4th best mark in the league.
Nikola Jokic is averaging 24 points per game this season to go along with 26.4 points per game. Over his last five games, he has hit 64.5% of his shots from the field. Jamal Murray is averaging 24 points per game in his last five games, hitting 42.5% of his threes for the season. Michael Porter Jr. is averaging 17.4 points per game on a three-point shooting percentage of 38.9%.
When it comes to defense, the Nuggets have been one of the best units in the league this season. They are giving up just 109.3 points per game, which is 6th in the NBA.
On the road, Denver’s defense has been even better, allowing just 110.3 points per contest, which is 5th in the league.
Overall, the Nuggets have done a good job of keeping opponents below their season average, as they have done so in 75.6% of their games. When it comes to three-point shooting, Denver has been excellent, ranking 2nd in both made threes allowed per game (11.1) and three-point shooting percentage allowed (35.2%).
Does Los Angeles Have a Shot at a Home Win?
Today, the Lakers are looking to snap a three-game losing streak both straight up and against the spread. In their last game, they were favored by 1.5 points but lost to the Nuggets by a score of 112-105.
As the underdog, the Lakers have a scoring margin of -4.4 points per game this season. Today, they are getting 3.5 points as the underdog. In their games as the underdog, the Lakers have gone 16-24 straight up and 20-20 against the spread.
In the Western Conference, the Lakers are currently in 7th place with a record of 47-35. Against the West, they are 27-25 compared to 20-10 against non-conference opponents.
The Lakers’ O/U record for the season is 48-38, and the under has hit in their last four games. This season, their games have averaged 234.4 points per game compared to today’s O/U line of 218.
For the Lakers to pick up a win today, they will need a big game from Anthony Davis. Over his last five games, he has averaged 29.4 points per game while hitting 60.2% of his shots from the field. Davis also pulled down 13.2 rebounds per game in that stretch. Lebron James has put up 26 points per game in his last five games on 50.5% shooting and 11 assists per contest.
Los Angeles comes into the game as the NBA’s 7th ranked scoring offense, at 118 points per game. This season, they are averaging 118.7 points per game at home. Despite being near the bottom of the league in three-point attempts, they are 9th in three-point shooting percentage, at 37%.
When playing at home, the Lakers have given up an average of 114.5 points per game, which is 18th in the league. Over their last five games, they have been even better, ranking 12th in points allowed at 108.2 per contest.
So far this season, opposing teams have shot 47.5% from the field against the Lakers, which is 19th in the NBA. However, they have done a good job of defending inside the arc, as their two-point shooting percentage allowed is 16th in the league.
One area where they have struggled is defending the three-point line, as teams have made 37.2% of their attempts from beyond the arc, which is 28th in the NBA. In terms of three-pointers made per game, they are also 28th in the league at 14.0.
Lakers vs. Nuggets Player Props
A player prop we are looking at is Nikola Jokic and his points prop of 27.5. Currently, the over for this prop is sitting at a payout of -105 while the under is at -129. Our projections have Nikola Jokic going 11/20 from the field on his way to 29 points. Our recommended bet is take the over on his prop bet with a payout of -105.
- The Prop: Nikola Jokic Over 27.5 Points (-105)
Lakers vs. Nuggets Predictions
Coming in as the underdogs at +3.5, we have the Lakers as the way to go on the point spread. Not only do we have them covering, but our projections show they have a good one of winning this one straight-up, if you’re looking for a higher payout on the moneyline.
As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 218 and our model has the Nuggets and Lakers finishing with a combined 234 points. Our pick is to take the over.
The Pick: Lakers +3.5 | at Fanduel Sportsbook