The Los Angeles Lakers were on a four-game winning streak a week ago but have since lost their last two. Sitting at .500 on the season, Los Angeles desperately needs to find some type of rhythm as we inch closer to the midway point of the year.

Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets have won three out of their last four games, just recently scoring 140 points against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Nuggets opened as 4-point favourites on the NBA odds board.

Lakers vs. Nuggets NBA Betting Odds

Los Angeles has been just 4-13 against the spread (ATS) in their last 17 games when going up against a team with a winning straight up record on the season. The over has been ridiculously consistent though, cashing out in their last four games overall and their last six when coming off of an ATS loss.

On the other hand, Denver is 3-9 ATS in their past 12 games when coming into the contest following a straight up win. However, they are 6-2 ATS in their past eight home games when going up against a team with a losing road record. Unlike the Lakers, Denver has seen the under cash out eight times in their last 11 games overall.

Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles could be without quite a few players on their roster in this matchup. LeBron James is the biggest hit as he has been labeled questionable for this one. Dwight Howard is also marked as questionable along with Carmelo Anthony. Assuming none of these guys can make it onto the court, the Lakers will lean heavily on Russell Westbrook. Westbrook hasn’t played up to his standards but is still averaging 18.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game. Other players like Malik Monk and Talen Horton-Tucker will need to step up as well but they’ve had mixed results.

The Lakers had a little momentum going last week but after a pair of losses and now the prospects of being shorthanded in Denver, things aren’t looking up.

Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets have been missing two of their best players practically all season long. Jamal Murray hasn’t played a game and Michael Porter Jr was ruled out for the season after appearing in just nine contests. Even Nikola Jokic missed a couple of games. That’s why this team is just 21-19 on the season after being a Western Conference contender in previous seasons.

Speaking of Jokic, he leads this team in every major statistical category. He is posting 25.5 points, 14 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. Without Jokic on the floor, this team gets a lot worse by almost every metric. He has a Player Efficiency Rating of 32.1 and a Value Over Replacement Player at 4.5. If LeBron is out, the Nuggets are the bet here.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Lakers vs. Nuggets?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Lakers Team Leaders

LAL

Points	LeBron James 30.27
Assists	Russell Westbrook 7.05
Rebounds	Anthony Davis 9.85
FG%	Jemerrio Jones 66.7
Steals	Sekou Doumbouya 1.5
Blocks	Anthony Davis 2.25

DEN

Points	Nikola Jokic 27.08
Assists	Nikola Jokic 7.89
Rebounds	Nikola Jokic 13.77
FG%	Nikola Jokic 58.3
Steals	Nikola Jokic 1.47
Blocks	Nikola Jokic 0.85

LAL

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

DEN

Points	Nikola Jokic 31
Assists	Nikola Jokic 5.8
Rebounds	Nikola Jokic 13.2
FG%	Zeke Nnaji 100
Steals	Nikola Jokic 1.6
Blocks	Aaron Gordon 1.2

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Nuggets Team Leaders

LAL

Points	LeBron James 30.27
Assists	Russell Westbrook 7.05
Rebounds	Anthony Davis 9.85
FG%	Jemerrio Jones 66.7
Steals	Sekou Doumbouya 1.5
Blocks	Anthony Davis 2.25

DEN

Points	Nikola Jokic 27.08
Assists	Nikola Jokic 7.89
Rebounds	Nikola Jokic 13.77
FG%	Nikola Jokic 58.3
Steals	Nikola Jokic 1.47
Blocks	Nikola Jokic 0.85

LAL

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

DEN

Points	Nikola Jokic 31
Assists	Nikola Jokic 5.8
Rebounds	Nikola Jokic 13.2
FG%	Zeke Nnaji 100
Steals	Nikola Jokic 1.6
Blocks	Aaron Gordon 1.2

Injuries

L.A. Lakers

Talen Horton-Tucker (SG)

day-to-day Ankle - 10 / 04 / 22

Dwight Howard (C)

Out Sun Rest - 10 / 04 / 22

Carmelo Anthony (SF)

Out Sun Illness - 07 / 04 / 22

Anthony Davis (PF)

Out Sun Foot - 06 / 04 / 22

Russell Westbrook (PG)

Out Sun Shoulder - 06 / 04 / 22

Anthony Davis (PF)

Prob Tues Foot - 04 / 04 / 22

Wenyen Gabriel (SF)

Prob Sun Ankle - 03 / 04 / 22

Anthony Davis (PF)

Prob Sun Foot - 02 / 04 / 22

Carmelo Anthony (SF)

Prob Sun Illness - 01 / 04 / 22

Wenyen Gabriel (SF)

Ques Fri Ankle - 01 / 04 / 22

Denver

Austin Rivers (PG)

day-to-day Hamstring - 27 / 04 / 22

Austin Rivers (PG)

Ques Thurs Back - 19 / 04 / 22

Facundo Campazzo (PG)

Elig Mon Suspension - 13 / 04 / 22

Will Barton (SG)

Ques Sat Knee - 09 / 04 / 22

Aaron Gordon (PF)

Prob Sat Hamstring - 09 / 04 / 22

Monte Morris (PG)

Ques Sat Elbow - 09 / 04 / 22

Jamal Murray (SG)

out for season Knee - 08 / 04 / 22

Rodney McGruder (SG)

Prob Fri Hip - 06 / 04 / 22

Will Barton (SG)

Prob Sun Knee - 03 / 04 / 22

Jeff Green (SF)

Ques Thurs Personal - 02 / 04 / 22

Injuries

L.A. Lakers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Talen Horton-Tucker (SG)	day-to-day	Ankle - 10 / 04 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
Horton-Tucker exited Sunday's game with a left ankle sprain, and he will not return.
Dwight Howard (C)	Out Sun	Rest - 10 / 04 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
Howard will not take the court for Sunday's contest versus the Nuggets as he will be given a day of rest.
Carmelo Anthony (SF)	Out Sun	Illness - 07 / 04 / 22	2-1	1-2	+ -
Anthony has been absent from the lineup during the past two games with a non-COVID-19 illness, and he will not play Sunday versus the Nuggets.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Out Sun	Foot - 06 / 04 / 22	2-2	2-2	+ -
Davis has been held out of the previous two games with a right mid-foot sprain, and he will not suit up against the Nuggets on Sunday.
Russell Westbrook (PG)	Out Sun	Shoulder - 06 / 04 / 22	2-2	2-2	+ -
Westbrook has missed his second-straight game with a sore right shoulder, and he will not be active against the Nuggets on Sunday.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Prob Tues	Foot - 04 / 04 / 22	2-2	2-2	+ -
Davis is dealing with a right mid-foot sprain, but it is projected that he will line up for Tuesday's clash versus the Suns.
Wenyen Gabriel (SF)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 03 / 04 / 22	2-3	2-3	+ -
Gabriel is tending to a left ankle sprain, but he is projected to partake in Sunday's matchup with the Nuggets.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Prob Sun	Foot - 02 / 04 / 22	3-3	3-3	+ -
Davis is dealing with a right mid-foot sprain, but it is projected that he will line up for Sunday's clash versus the Nuggets.
Carmelo Anthony (SF)	Prob Sun	Illness - 01 / 04 / 22	3-4	4-3	+ -
Anthony missed the previous game with a non-COVID illness, but it is expected that he will suit up Sunday against the Nuggets.
Wenyen Gabriel (SF)	Ques Fri	Ankle - 01 / 04 / 22	3-4	4-3	+ -
Gabriel is dealing with a left ankle sprain, and it is undetermined if he will dress for Friday's matchup with the Pelicans.

Denver

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Austin Rivers (PG)	day-to-day	Hamstring - 27 / 04 / 22	1-0	1-0	+ -
Rivers exited Wednesday's game with right hamstring tightness, and it is unknown if he will return.
Austin Rivers (PG)	Ques Thurs	Back - 19 / 04 / 22	1-3	4-0	+ -
Rivers is battling lower-back pain, and it is uncertain if he will play in Game 3 of the Western Conference first round versus the Warriors.
Facundo Campazzo (PG)	Elig Mon	Suspension - 13 / 04 / 22	1-4	5-0	+ -
Campazzo has been given a one-game suspension for a forceful shoving, and he is not eligible to suit up until Game 2 of the Western Conference first round versus the Warriors.
Will Barton (SG)	Ques Sat	Knee - 09 / 04 / 22	2-4	5-1	+ -
Barton is dealing with right knee soreness, and it is unclear if he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Warriors.
Aaron Gordon (PF)	Prob Sat	Hamstring - 09 / 04 / 22	2-4	5-1	+ -
Gordon is nursing a left hamstring issue, but it is projected that he will be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Warriors.
Monte Morris (PG)	Ques Sat	Elbow - 09 / 04 / 22	2-4	5-1	+ -
Morris is hampered by left elbow soreness, and it remains to be seen if he will be active for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Warriors.
Jamal Murray (SG)	out for season	Knee - 08 / 04 / 22	2-5	5-2	+ -
Murray is likely to miss the rest of the 2021-22 season after having a left ACL surgery.
Rodney McGruder (SG)	Prob Fri	Hip - 06 / 04 / 22	3-5	6-2	+ -
McGruder sat out the last contest due to a left hip strain, but it is projected that he will face the Bucks on Friday.
Will Barton (SG)	Prob Sun	Knee - 03 / 04 / 22	3-6	7-2	+ -
Barton is bothered by right knee soreness, but it is anticipated that he will lace up for Sunday's tilt versus the Lakers.
Jeff Green (SF)	Ques Thurs	Personal - 02 / 04 / 22	3-7	8-2	+ -
Green has missed the last two contests due to a personal issue, and it is unclear if he will face the Grizzlies on Thursday.