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

Michael Crosson Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

Regular season NBA action will resume on Wednesday night with a compelling Western Conference showdown between the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets. Coverage begins from Ball Arena in Denver at 10:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Updated on 05/10/2024

BetMGM Exclusive Offer: Get a 20% Deposit Match up to $1,600 in Sports Bonus!

Bonus Code VIBONUS1600 Claim Now

Must be 21+. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER

LOS ANGELES LAKERS vs. DENVER NUGGETS BETTING PREDICTION

The Nuggets posted an inspired campaign despite Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. missing most of the season, as Murray missed the entire season with an ACL injury and Porter Jr. participated in just nine contests due to a back injury he suffered in early November, but Denver still finished sixth in the West with a record of 48-34.

Murray and Porter Jr. are back in the lineup to start this season, however, Denver is still struggling to perform on a consistent basis at both ends of the floor, as the Nuggets scored just 106 PPG and allowed 129 PPG in losses to the Jazz and Blazers, but they also scored 125 PPG and allowed 120 PPG in wins over the Warriors and Thunder.

The Lakers, on the other hand, are off to an incredibly frustrating start to the season, as Lebron James and co. averaged just 103 PPG on 41% FG and 21% 3FG across an 0-3 skid to open, with two of those losses coming by slim margins of six points or less.

I’ll take the over here, as the Nuggets surrendered 123+ PTS in three-of-four contests to open the season (124.5 PPG), and while the Lakers’ offense averaged less than 105 PPG in their first three matchups, I still expect them to light up the scoreboard against a Denver squad that both scored and allowed 115+ PPG in their first four games of the year (115.5 OPPG, 124.5 DPPG).

Score Prediction: Nuggets 122, Lakers 114
Best Bet: Over 225.5 (-110)

LOS ANGELES LAKERS vs. DENVER NUGGETS BETTING ODDS

More Odds | NBA Futures Odds | Expert Picks

LOS ANGELES LAKERS vs. DENVER NUGGETS BETTING RESOURCES

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022
Matchup: Pacific vs, Northwest
Venue: Ball Arena
Location: Denver, Colorado
Time-TV: ESPN, 10:00 p.m. ET

LOS ANGELES LAKERS BETTING ANALYSIS

The Lakers entered last season with sky high expectations after adding nine-time All-Star Russell Westbrook to the roster. However, Westbrook was their only marquee player that stayed healthy, as Lebron and AD both missed roughly half the season due to injury, which never really gave this new-look squad a chance to gel and a losing record was the result.

People always blame Westbrook for the Lakers’ struggles, and I’m guilty of it too, but it’s not really his fault. The entire team just can’t shoot, and their lack of shooting ability has been on full display to open the season, as the Lakers averaged just 103 PPG on 41% FG and 21% 3FG across their first three matchups.

DENVER NUGGETS BETTING ANALYSIS

The Nuggets earned a Top 3 seed in the West in three straight seasons prior to last year, however, last year’s sixth place finish was arguably the most impressive of that timeframe, as Denver’s season appeared to be doomed from the early stages following injuries to Murray and Porter Jr., but to the majority’s surprise, Nikola Jokic and the rest of Denver’s supporting cast still cruised to the postseason while successfully dodging the Play-In Tournament.

Whenever the Nuggets rank near the top of the totem pole in the West, I typically worry about their lack of perimeter threats heading into matchups against sharp shooting squads like the Warriors and Suns. But fortunately, the Lakers aren’t one of those squads, so I expect them to handle business with relative ease in tonight’s matchup, but L. A. has become notorious for hanging around in games, so I’m still more comfortable taking the over.

LOS ANGELES LAKERS vs. DENVER NUGGETS BETTING TRENDS

• The Lakers are 4-8 ATS in their last 12 games.
• The Lakers are 2-11 SU in their last 13 games.
• The Nuggets are 3-7 ATS in their last ten games.
• The total has gone OVER in eight of Denver's last ten games.
• The Nuggets are 3-7 SU in their last ten games.
• The total has gone OVER in four of Denver's last five games against the Lakers.
• The total has gone OVER in four of Denver's last five home games.
• The Lakers are 9-4 SU in their last 13 games against Denver.
• The Lakers are 1-6 SU in their last seven road games.
• The total has gone OVER in six straight matchups between the Lakers and Nuggets in Denver.

Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson began his time at VegasInsider as a freelance NBA writer back in 2019 while he continued to study Psychology and Biology at James Madison University. Following his graduation in 2021, Michael joined the team full-time, and he's been with VI ever since. Michael still writes NBA, NFL, and MLB for VI, as well as gambling industry news. He's also become a crucial part of our editorial production team. More from Michael Crosson