ClutchPoints is just not affiliated with, endorsed by, or in any means related to any sportsbook. Playing is just not provided on this web site in any kind.
The Denver Nuggets will meet the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday at Crypto. It is a Western Convention Quarterfinals rematch as we share our NBA odds sequence and make a Nuggets-Lakers prediction and decide.
The Nuggets are coming off a recreation in opposition to the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night time. In the meantime, the Lakers are coming off a slim dwelling loss to the Orlando Magic on Thursday night time.
The Lakers lead the head-to-head sequence 113-79. Nevertheless, the Nuggets have dominated the sequence lately. The Nuggets eradicated the Lakers in 5 video games in final season’s quarterfinals. Moreover, they swept the regular-season sequence. The Nuggets are 7-3 over the previous 10 video games in opposition to the Lakers, together with 3-2 over the past 5 video games at Crypto. Moreover, they gained by a median of 9 factors at Crypto final season.
Listed here are the Nuggets-Lakers NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Nuggets-Lakers Odds
Denver Nuggets: +4 (-108)
Moneyline: +158
Los Angeles Lakers: -4 (-112)
Moneyline: -188
Over: 232.5 (-110)
Below: 232.5 (-110)
How To Watch Nuggets vs. Lakers
Time: 10:30 PM ET/7:30 PM PT
TV: NBA TV, ALT, and Sportsnet LA
Stream: fuboTV (Free Trial)
Why the Nuggets Might Cowl the Unfold/Win
The Nuggets are nonetheless capturing the ball effectively, rating eleventh from the sphere, together with sixth from the triples. Moreover, they’ve been nice on the boards, rating fifth in rebounds. Denver continues to unfold the rock properly, rating second in assists, and has been cautious with the basketball, rating thirteenth in turnovers. Nevertheless, the Nuggets might carry out higher on the defensive rim, as they rank simply twentieth in blocked photographs. Free throws have additionally been a problem, because the Nuggets rank twenty first on the charity stripe.
If Jokic doesn’t play, the Nuggets should depend on others to hold the load. Thus far, Michael Porter Jr. has been the second-best participant on the group, as he appears to be able to take the following step. Jamal Murray has taken a small step again however stays environment friendly. In current reminiscence, he has been the man who has damage the Lakers essentially the most together with his crisp capturing. Christian Braun has been stable for Denver. Likewise, Russell Westbrook has come by way of in spurts.
The Nuggets will cowl the unfold if they will hit their photographs and take the momentum away from the Lakers early. Then, they need to forestall Davis and James from dominating whereas additionally stopping the shooters.
Why the Lakers Might Cowl the Unfold/Win
Life has been good for the Lakers this season. Nevertheless, they came upon Thursday as they suffered their first loss. It was a recreation they need to have gained, however Anthony Davis missed vital photographs on the charity stripe on the finish, giving the Magic some life.
Associated InformationArticle continues beneath
The offense has remained distinctive. Regardless of the loss to the Magic, the Lakers nonetheless rank fifth in field-goal capturing share, together with eleventh from past the arc. Davis and LeBron James struggled on the charity stripe, however the purple and gold nonetheless are 14th in free-throw capturing share. One space the Lakers have struggled in has been on the boards. Sadly, they’re simply twenty seventh in rebounds. However they’ve performed clear basketball this season, rating solely fifth in turnovers. The defensive rim has been powerful, because the Lakers are simply twenty third in blocked photographs.
Whereas everybody talks about Davis and James, rookie Dalton Knecht is shortly making a reputation for himself. Amazingly, he went off for 37 factors earlier this week in opposition to the Utah Jazz, going 12 for 16 from the sphere and 9 for 12 from the triples, tying the rookie file. Knecht adopted this up on Thursday by including 17 factors whereas capturing 7 for 14 from the sphere, together with 3 for 7 from past the arc. It appears as if the Lakers lastly have their long-awaited deep risk from the triples. However the Lakers want extra from Austin Reaves, who has been inconsistent this season.
The Lakers will cowl the unfold if James and Davis could make their free throws and keep away from giving the sport away. Then, Knecht and Reaves should make an impression.
Last Nuggets-Lakers Prediction & Decide
The Nuggets come into the weekend with a 5-7-1 mark in opposition to the unfold, whereas the Lakers are 7-8 in opposition to the percentages. Furthermore, the Nuggets are 2-4 in opposition to the unfold on the street, whereas the Lakers are 5-3 in opposition to the percentages at dwelling. The Nuggets will probably be enjoying on no relaxation, whereas the Lakers have an additional day to arrange and haven’t got to depart Los Angeles. Considerably, the Nuggets are 1-2 with a relaxation drawback and 1-1 with no relaxation. The Lakers are 2-3 with a relaxation benefit.
The primary takeaway is the evident absence of Jokic. Can the Nuggets beat the Lakers with out him? I do not suppose so. I’ve the Lakers avenging their loss and masking the unfold at dwelling.
Last Nuggets-Lakers Prediction & Decide: Los Angeles Lakers -4 (-112)
The content material of this text is for leisure and academic functions solely, and ClutchPoints makes no guarantee to the accuracy of the data given or end result of any sporting occasion. Playing is just not provided on this web site, and all betting content material is meant for audiences ages 21+. All picks and predictions are primarily based on every particular person author’s opinion, and do not specific that of ClutchPoints. Playing drawback? Name 1-800-GAMBLER.