The Lakers are set to face the Denver Nuggets on Thursday, Apr 25. The game is scheduled for 10:00 ET while airing on TNT. Los Angeles enters this game as 1-point favorites with the total set at 216.5. How will this one play out? Let’s dive into the Lakers vs Nuggets predictions below.
Lakers vs. Nuggets Odds
- Spread: Lakers -1
- Total 216.5
Game Info
- Date: Thursday, Apr 25
- Time: 10:00 ET
- Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles CA
- TV: TNT
Nuggets Betting Trends
- Over their last five games, the Nuggets have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.
- Across the Nuggets last five road games, the team averaged 114 points per game while allowing 108. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 2-3, while going 3-2 straight-up.
- The Nuggets have played well in their last three games as the betting underdog, going 2-1 straight up and 2-1 against the spread.
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.
- Los Angeles has a 1-2 record in their last three home games. In this stretch, they averaged 104 points per game while allowing 107. The team also performed well vs the spread at 2-1.
- Over the team’s last three games as the favorite, the Lakers struggled vs the spread going just 1-2. However, they still had a straight up mark of 3-0.
After a slow start in the 1st quarter, the Lakers had a big 2nd quarter, outscoring the Nuggets 31-20. Denver responded by holding the Lakers to just 20 points in the 3rd quarter, and they carried that momentum into the 4th, outscoring the Lakers 32-20. Going into the game, the Nuggets were favored by 7 points and won by a score of 101-99.
The game fell 23.5 points short of the over/under line of 223.5 points. The Lakers were able to cover the spread as 7-point underdogs. Anthony Davis led all scorers with 32 points, while LeBron James added 26 points. Nikola Jokic had a monster game for the Nuggets, finishing with 27 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Can the Nuggets Lock in a Win at Los Angeles?
In their last game against the Lakers, the Nuggets won by a score of 101-99. They were favored by 7 points in that game. This win improved their overall record to 57-25 for the season.
Denver’s current win streak is at three games, and they are currently 2nd in the Western Conference. In non-conference games, the Nuggets have gone 24-6 compared to 33-19 against Western Conference opponents.
As the underdog, the Nuggets have a scoring differential of -3.8 points per game. On the road, their scoring differential is +0.7 PPG. This season, they are 24-17 on the road.
Against the spread, the Nuggets have a road record of 17-23 and are 39-43 overall. As the underdog, they have covered the spread in their last two games and are 5-5 ATS as the underdog.
This season, the Nuggets have had an average over/under line of 225.6 points, which is higher than today’s line of 216.5. Their O/U record for the season is 34-48-2, and their last two games have gone under the posted total.
The Nuggets offense is averaging 114.9 points per game this season, which is 13th in the NBA. But they have been better than that at home, averaging 118 points per contest. However, their production has dropped to 111.2 points per game on the road. Denver is one of the better shooting teams in terms of two-point shooting percentage, as they have hit 56% of their shots from inside the arc, which is 7th best in the league.
Nikola Jokic is averaging 27.4 points per game over his last five games on a shooting percentage of 67.5%. In these games, he averaged 1.2 made threes per game on a shooting percentage of 54.5%. Across his last five games, Jamal Murray has averaged 23.6 points per game, hitting 3.2 threes per game. For the season, Murray is averaging 21.2 points and 6.5 assists.
When it comes to defense, the Denver Nuggets have been one of the best teams in the league this season. They come into tonight’s game ranked 6th in points allowed per game at 109.4. On the road, they have been even better, giving up just 110.5 points per game, which is 5th in the NBA.
So far this season, opposing teams have scored less than their season average in 74.4% of games against the Nuggets. In terms of three-point shooting, Denver has been tough to beat, ranking 2nd in three-point percentage allowed at 35.4%.
Over their last five games, the Nuggets have given up 108.2 points per game, which is 11th in the league during that span. During that stretch, they have been slightly worse at defending the three-point line, allowing opponents to shoot 36.8% from beyond the arc.
Can Los Angeles Secure a Home Victory?
Today, the Lakers are favored by 1 point at home against the Nuggets. This season, the Lakers have been favored in 45 of their 82 games and have gone 32-13 in those games. As the favorite, they have a scoring differential of +4.8 points per game.
As the favorite, the Lakers have an ATS record of 20-25 and have covered the spread in their last two home games. At home, they are 20-22 ATS compared to 20-23 on the road.
Los Angeles’ O/U record for the season is 48-37, and their games have averaged 234.6 points per game. Today’s O/U line of 216.5 is lower than their season average of 232.1.
The Lakers are currently 7th in the Western Conference with a record of 47-35. In their last game against the Nuggets, they lost by a score of 101-99. The Lakers were 7-point underdogs in that game.
The Lakers have lost their last two games and are 3rd in the Pacific Division. Against Western Conference teams, they are 27-25 compared to 20-10 against the East.
Anthony Davis is averaging 30 points and 13 rebounds in his last five games while hitting 57.7% of his shots. Lebron James has averaged 28.2 points, 10.2 assists, and 8.6 rebounds in his last five games. In this stretch, he has hit 40% of his threes. Both Davis and James are probable for the game, with Davis dealing with a back issue and James dealing with an ankle injury.
For the season, the Lakers are averaging 118 points per game, which is 6th in the league. Their scoring average at home is 119 points per contest, which is 7th in the NBA. Los Angeles is also near the top of the league in field goal percentage, at 49%. The Lakers are 8th in three-point shooting efficiency but last in three-point attempts.
So far this season, the Los Angeles Lakers are giving up 117.1 points per game, which is 23rd in the NBA. At home, they are allowing 114.6 points per contest, which is 18th in the league.
One area where the Lakers have been strong this season is in terms of defensive rebounds, ranking 2nd in the NBA. They have also been a solid shot-blocking team, coming in at 11th in the league.
Over their last five games, the Lakers have allowed 109.8 points per game, which is 15th in the NBA during that stretch. In terms of field goal percentage allowed, they have been 12th over their last five games.
Lakers vs. Nuggets Player Props
When looking at a player prop for this game, Nikola Jokic has a points prop of 27.5 with both the over and under paying out at -113. Our model predicts that Nikola Jokic will finish the game going 12/20 from the field and scoring 29 points. Our suggested wager is to bet on the over for his prop bet, which comes with a payout of -113.
- The Prop: Nikola Jokic Over 27.5 Points (-113)
Lakers vs. Nuggets Predictions
We’re putting our money on the Lakers to win, and have the projected score sitting at 120-116. We also like them to cover the spread, so our recommendation is to bet on the Lakers at -1.
As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 216.5 and our model has the Nuggets and Lakers finishing with a combined 236 points. Our pick is to take the over.
The Pick: Lakers -1 | at Fanduel Sportsbook