Straight up losers in eight of nine, the Lakers enter their season finale riding a five-game road losing streak. Already assured of a playoff spot, the Nuggets are coming off a 122-109 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, but have failed to tally consecutive victories during a 3-6 run on home hardwood.

Fuelled by support from an overwhelming majority of sports bettors, the Nuggets have vaulted to 10-point favourites to win on the NBA odds since opening as 8.5-point home chalk. Accordingly, the injury-hobbled Lakers have faded to +350 moneyline underdogs. The total has also dipped slightly from 229 to 228.5.

Lakers vs. Nuggets NBA Betting Odds

Sunday night’s matchup at Ball Arena marks the third meeting of the campaign between these clubs. The Nuggets romped to lopsided wins in their two previous dates, capped by last Sunday’s 129-118 victory in Los Angeles. Denver has claimed victory in three of four dates with the Lakers, and enjoys a 7-2 record in nine head-to-head home clashes. With the Nuggets scoring an average of 131 points, the OVER paid out in their previous two dates with LA, and has gone 6-2-0 in eight regular season meetings. And with each of their three most recent wins over the Lakers coming by double-digit margins, the Nuggets enjoy a 3-1-0 against the spread run.

Since seeing a steady 12-2 run end, Denver has gone 8-7, and covered in just six of 17 contests. The Nuggets have won outright in 14 of 16 while pegged as double-digit chalk, but have failed to cover in their past five. The Lakers have surrendered 120.4 points per game during their current 1-8 run, and sports an 11-29 away record, third worst in the Western Conference. On a positive note, LA has averaged a respectable 115 points per game over its past four outings, and has covered in three of five as double-digit road underdogs.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers will hit the court for their season finale with their supporting cast taking over leading roles for a third straight game. With LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, and Carmelo Anthony all sidelined, the club will look to Stanley Johnson and Talen Horton-Tucker to once again pick up the slack. Johnson led all LA shooters with a season-high 21 points in Friday’s win over OKC, but has averaged just four points per game over his past three road appearances. Horton followed up a career-best 40-point outing in Thursday’s 128-112 loss to Golden State by tallying 15 points and eight rebounds versus the Thunder.

Denver Nuggets

In need of a win on Sunday combined with a loss by the Utah Jazz in their Sunday night date with Portland to clinch fifth place in the West, the Nuggets face tough decisions. Several players are nursing nagging injuries, including the team’s top four scorers. Most notable among them is reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, who remains bothered by a wrist injury. If the decision is made to rest Jokic, veteran big man DeMarcus Cousins could see considerably more action after averaging just eight minutes of playing time and 5.5 points over his past four game appearances.

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.