Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Predictions, Picks, Odds

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Nationally televised NBA action will resume Sunday mid-afternoon with a meaningful Western Conference clash between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers. Coverage begins from L.A.’s Crypto.com Arena at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

Score Prediction

Lakers 116, Nuggets 110

Best Bets

Lakers +3.5 (-110) at DraftKings

Nuggets vs. Lakers Predictions

After finishing third in the West with a record of 47-25 SU last year, Denver stumbled out to a surprisingly slow start to the season, as the Nuggets opened with a relatively pedestrian 20-19 SU and 16-23 ATS stretch – while scoring just 105.6 OPPG across that window.

The Nuggets have played excellent since the midway point of January though, considering Denver boasts sturdy records of 26-13 SU and 18-20-1 ATS across their last 39 games – while tallying 118.9 OPPG and surrendering 114.5 DPPG during that timeframe.

On the other hand, the Lakers stumbled out to a surprisingly slow start to the season, as Los Angeles kicked things off with a lackluster 10-11 SU and 7-14 ATS stretch – which was initially chalked up to growing pains associated with the offseason acquisition of Russell Westbrook.

However, the Lakers have maintained a similarly deficient pace since that point, considering Los Angeles enters Sunday riding a head-scratching 21-35 SU and 25-31 ATS skid – while tallying just 111.5 OPPG and allowing 114.6 DPPG across that window.

I’ll back L.A. here, as despite sitting 1-6 SU and 3-4 ATS in their last seven games, the Lakers find themselves in an incredibly desperate situation despite the return of Anthony Davis – which should ultimately push them over the edge against a Nuggets squad that’s surrendering 117.9 DPPG across their latest 4-10 ATS skid.

Nuggets vs. Lakers Betting Odds

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Nuggets vs. Lakers Betting Resources

Matchup: Northwest vs. Pacific
Date: Sunday, April 3, 2022
Venue: Crypto.com Arena
Location: Los Angeles, CA
TV-Time: ABC - 3:30 p.m. ET
Injury Report

Denver Nuggets Betting Analysis

SU: 46-32
ATS: 34-43-1
O/U: 42-34-2

Despite the year-long absence of Jamal Murray, Denver has still strung together an admirable 2021-22 campaign, considering the Nuggets are currently neck-and-neck with Utah for fifth place in the West with a record of 46-32 SU – while also standing within striking distance of the fourth-placed Mavericks.

The Nuggets inevitably encountered their fair share of health hurdles throughout the year, primarily highlighted by the extended absence of Denver’s third scoring option, Michael Porter Jr. However, Denver still boasts solid numbers at both ends of the floor, considering the Nuggets have scored 115+ PTS in 14 of their last 22 contests (119.1 OPPG) – and surrendered 110 PTS or less in nine of their last 20 (115.6 DPPG).

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Analysis

SU: 31-46
ATS: 32-44-1
O/U: 43-33-1

Regardless of the situation, finishing below .500 is an undeniable shortcoming for this Lakers squad, but to be fair, they’ve stumbled across several injury hurdles, so it’s tough to write them off completely, considering LeBron James has missed 20 games over the course of the season – while AD has missed 38 contests, who just returned to action this past Friday (L, 114-111).

The Lakers can still flip the script and salvage things with an adequate postseason effort; however, they have to get there first, which ultimately requires improvements at both ends of the floor, considering L. A. ranks 22^ndin offensive efficiency and 12^th in scoring (1.068 OE, 111.5 OPPG) – which doesn’t bode well for a squad that also ranks 24^th in defensive efficiency (1.098 DE).

**The Lakers are 6-13 ATS in their last 19 games. (AP)**

Nuggets vs. Lakers Head-to-Head

The Lakers won two of three regular-season matchups against Denver last year, with both Lakers’ victories staying well under the total at an average of 194.5, while the Nuggets’ lone win soared over with a score of 122-105 (O 219). However, the most recent matchup between these teams took place back in January of this season, which resulted in a relatively high-scoring victory for Denver (133-96, O 226).

Key Players to Watch

DEN: Nikola Jokic - C (26.6 PPG, 13.6 REB, 8 AST)
DEN: Will Barton - SG (14.6 PPG, 4.9 REB, 3.9 AST)
LAL: LeBron James - SF (30.3 PPG, 8.2 REB, 6.2 AST)
LAL: Anthony Davis - C (23.1 PPG, 9.8 REB, 2.3 BLK)

Nuggets vs. Lakers Betting Conclusion

After extending their losing streak to five games with a home loss to the Pelicans on Friday night (L 114-111), the Lakers enter Sunday’s contest as short home underdogs against the Nuggets at Crytpo.com Arena – marking the sixth time L. A. has been an underdog across their last seven games.

I’ll back L. A. here, as the Nuggets are 5-7 SU and 4-8 ATS in their last 12 games, while generating 118 OPPG and surrendering 117.9 DPPG during that span – setting the stage for a tough road matchup against a desperate Lakers squad that should significantly benefit from the return of Davis.

Nuggets vs. Lakers Betting Trends

The Nuggets are 1-4 ATS in their last five games.
The Lakers are 8-3 SU in their last 11 matchups against Denver.
The total has gone OVER in seven of the last nine Nuggets' games.
The Lakers are 6-13 ATS in their last 19 games.
The total has gone OVER in six of the last eight Lakers' games.
The total has gone OVER in nine of the last 12 matchups between the Lakers and Nuggets.

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