Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets (10/26) @ 10:00 PM EST
Line: Nuggets -5.5
Total: 229.5
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets Breakdown and Betting Odds
The Los Angeles Lakers (0-3) visit the Pepsi Center to take on the Denver Nuggets (2-2) tonight. Tipoff is set for 10 p.m. EST with the Nuggets favored by 5.5 points and the over/under set at 229.5.
The Nuggets beat the Lakers in two of their three games last season, including an impressive 133-96 blowout last January.
Los Angeles Lakers Overview
The Lakers have displayed major problems thus far in the young NBA season, losing three straight in their first three games. Their last matchup, against the Portland Trailblazers, saw them lose in heartbreaking fashion 104-106, failing to cover the -4 point spread. One of the major controversial plays from this game saw Russel Westbrook miss an early shot trying to go for a 2-for-1 with just 30 seconds left, up by 2. This led to a Blazers comeback and would result in the Lakers loss.
While the Lakers have been decent on the defensive side of the ball, allowing only 110.7 points per game, which ranks fourteenth in the league, they have majorly struggled offensively. They have averaged 103.3 points per game, which ranks twenty-ninth. They are off to a historically bad start from three-point range, shooting just 21.2% from beyond the arc, which is dead last in the league, and over 6% worse than the next worst team.
Denver Nuggets Overview
The Nuggets have also been somewhat shaky to start the season, taking an upset game against the Warriors but also failing to win against the Jazz and Thunder who they were favored against. Their last game, against the Portland Trailblazers, was a 110-135 blowout loss, that saw them fail to cover the -5 spread. Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic couldn’t seem to get it going, only attempting 4 field goals for 9 points.
The Nuggets have also struggled on defense, allowing the most points per game in the league with 124.5. Their offense hasn’t been anything to write home about either, averaging 115.5 points per game, which is fourteenth in the league. They are, however, going up against a Lakers team that allows the most rebounds with 52.7.
Free Pick: Nuggets -4
With how the Lakers have looked so far, we find it hard not to like the Nuggets -4. Although the Nuggets defense has been lackluster, the Lakers offense has been just as bad, ranking twenty-ninth in PPG. We also expect the Nuggets to dominate the glass with great rebounders like Jokic and Gordon, which we think will determine the flow of the game. Furthermore, the Lakers have failed to cover a spread through their first three games.
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