Free NBA Pick: Lakers vs. Nuggets NBA Odds
Looking for Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets free NBA picks & NBA Odds? NBA betting sees the Lakers taking on the Nuggets on Saturday, April 20th, at Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Lakers Nuggets matchup.
2024 NBA Handicapping Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets
(49-35) Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets (57-25)
Date: Saturday, April 20th
Time: 8:30 PM ET
Venue: Ball Arena Denver, Colorado
Moneyline NBA Odds: Lakers +245 | Nuggets -278 (Bet Now!)
NBA ATS Betting Odds: Nuggets -7.0
Today’s NBA Betting Total (O/U): 224.5
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Closing the slate on the opening day of the NBA playoffs are the seventh-seeded Los Angeles Lakers versus the defending champions and second-seeded Denver Nuggets.
LA took care of business by ousting the Pelicans to earn their berth while the Nuggets had the top-seed seemingly in hand but took their foot off the gas against the Spurs and dropped one spot.
Season Series
LA holds the all-time record having won 113 of the 192 meetings between the clubs however the Nuggets have owned the Lakers in recent years sweeping them this season and holding an eight-game win streak versus LA going back to the Conference Finals last year.
To that end, this is the ninth time the clubs have met in the postseason with LA possessing a 7-1 record in those series albeit Denver got the most recent series win.
Los Angeles Lakers
It took a while for the Lakers to rediscover the chemistry that propelled them to the Conference Finals last season but they were one of the hottest teams post All-Star Break.
Ironically, defense was the priority last year but it was the offense that helped the Lakers improve down the stretch.
Despite being 39 years old LeBron James has discovered the athletic fountain of youth while Anthony Davis delivered a season that will likely land him on All-NBA and All-Defensive teams.
Lakers Stats
LA ranks 15th offensively (115.4), and 17th defensively (114.8), with a plus net differential of +0.6 ranking 19th overall.
The Lakers performed below the middle ground against the spread with a 40-44 record through the season.
Lakers Injury Report
To summarize the injury report…
- Cam Reddish, SG (questionable — ankle)
- Christian Wood, PF (OUT indefinitely— knee)
- Jarred Vanderbilt, SF (OUT indefinitely —foot)
- Jalen Hood-Schifino, SG (OUT for season —back)
Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokic will likely win his third MVP award after another standout campaign in which he took a greater leadership role and kept the Nuggets focused particularly when Jamal Murray was sidelined.
Although Murray dealt with shin splints plus ankle and knee injuries the time he spent off the court down the stretch felt more like Michael Malone giving his point guard extra rest so he’d be at 100 percent to begin the Nuggets title defense.
Nuggets Stats
Denver ranks fifth offensively (117.8) and eighth defensively (112.3) with a net differential of plus +5.5 which ranked fourth overall.
Despite their overall placement, the Nuggets weren’t as solid against the spread with a 38-42-2 record through 82 contests.
Nuggets Injury Report
To summarize the injury report…
- Vlatko Cancar, SF (OUT indefinitely— knee)
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Lakers vs. Nuggets NBA Betting Trends:
- All in all, the Lakers are 12-3 SU in their last 15 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Lakers’ last 5 games.
- Also, the Lakers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games against Denver.
- By comparison, Denver is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Denver’s last 5 games.
- In conclusion, the Nuggets are 9-2 SU in their last 11 games at home.
Free Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets NBA Prediction:
Since 2000, the Warriors, Lakers, and Heat have been the only teams to win consecutive championships. While the West is much deeper than the East the Nuggets are the odds-on favorites to get their shot to join that elusive group.
Certainly, Denver has the decided advantage and while some pundits are spinning yarns about LA upsetting Denver it’ll be an uphill battle. That said, I don’t anticipate a sweep since the first round has more rest days which will benefit James specifically.
Still, for LA to make this a series they’ll need to utilize their size, AD will need to be the best defender nightly and someone other than LeBron will need to be an offensive factor.
As for Denver, youngsters Christian Braun and Peyton Watson will be tasked with being x-factors to complement the Nuggets’ starting five who for my money is the best in the NBA.
As the series progresses, keep an eye on fourth quarters and clutch time where the Nuggets are at their best. Denver ranks third offensively, second defensively and first in net differential in clutch time.
4* Free Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets NBA Betting Pick: Lakers +7
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NBA Tweet Of The Day
Real thing tomorrow pic.twitter.com/NTkoKw7S2z
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) April 19, 2024
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