LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers remain in the hunt for win No. 1 of the 2022–23 season, with a trip to play Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday. The Lakers have started off with three losses, the most recent two coming by a combined eight points. Denver’s started 2-2 but have losses of 21 and 25 points to Western opponents.

These teams will also meet again in L.A. on Sunday, the second of four regular season meetings between the Lakers and Nuggets. Tip-off for Wednesday’s game goes at 10 p.m. EDT at Ball Arena. The Nuggets are 6-point favourites at home and the over-under listed at 227 on the NBA odds.

Lakers vs. Nuggets NBA Betting Odds

It’s been a struggle against the spread for the Lakers, who are also winless in that category this season and just 4-8 ATS in their last 12 overall. Roster talent aside, history says there’s a good chance this slump turns around for the Lakers as they are 9-4 overall in their last 13 versus Denver. Points have been easy to come by too, with the over hitting in six straight Lakers–Nuggets contests played in Denver. The over is 8-2 in Denver’s last 10 overall as well.

The Nuggets have struggled ATS versus the West too with only six ATS wins in their last 20 versus Western Conference opponents. This includes three ATS losses to Western clubs in Denver’s four games this season.

Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles had a five-point lead heading into the final quarter, and a seven-point lead with 1:56 to go versus Portland on Sunday, but fell 106-104 after a missed James buzzer-beater. LeBron led his team with 31 points and added eight rebounds and eight assists. Anthony Davis picked up his first double-double of the season, scoring 22 points and collecting 10 points. Russell Westbrook struggled offensively for the third straight time, making four field goals on 15 attempts.

The Lakers have struggled big time on the glass and have been outrebounded by double digits in both of their last defeats. James leads the team with 33 rebounds in three games, and he and Davis are the only two players averaging more than two offensive rebounds so far.

Denver Nuggets

Denver allowed 80 second-half points to Portland on Monday, while scoring 49 of their own in that span and losing by 25 points. The Nuggets allowed Portland to shoot nearly 58 per cent from the field and knock down 16 three-pointers on 35 attempts. Denver only finished the game with eight made threes, and hauled in just 38 rebounds to Portland’s 45.

Jokić has again started out as Denver’s leader in all of points (20.2), rebounds (10.2), and assists (9.5) per game. Jamal Murray’s averaged 12 points and 2.3 assists since returning to the team’s starting lineup. Murray missed the entire 2021–22 season due to a torn ACL.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Lakers vs. Nuggets?

• Regular Season

Lakers Team Leaders

LAL

Points	LeBron James 30
Assists	Russell Westbrook 7.51
Rebounds	Anthony Davis 12.03
FG%	Thomas Bryant 65.4
Steals	Anthony Davis 1.27
Blocks	Anthony Davis 2.03

DEN

Points	Nikola Jokic 24.8
Assists	Nikola Jokic 10.11
Rebounds	Nikola Jokic 11.28
FG%	DeAndre Jordan 77
Steals	Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 1.37
Blocks	Aaron Gordon 0.77

• Regular Season

Nuggets Team Leaders

LAL

Points	LeBron James 30
Assists	Russell Westbrook 7.51
Rebounds	Anthony Davis 12.03
FG%	Thomas Bryant 65.4
Steals	Anthony Davis 1.27
Blocks	Anthony Davis 2.03

DEN

Points	Nikola Jokic 24.8
Assists	Nikola Jokic 10.11
Rebounds	Nikola Jokic 11.28
FG%	DeAndre Jordan 77
Steals	Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 1.37
Blocks	Aaron Gordon 0.77

Injuries

L.A. Lakers

Russell Westbrook (PG)

Prob Sat Illness - 04 / 02 / 23

Anthony Davis (PF)

Prob Sat Foot - 03 / 02 / 23

Anthony Davis (PF)

Prob Thurs Foot - 01 / 02 / 23

Patrick Beverley (PG)

Prob Thurs Knee - 31 / 01 / 23

Anthony Davis (PF)

Prob Tues Foot - 29 / 01 / 23

Lonnie Walker IV (SG)

Prob Mon Knee - 29 / 01 / 23

Anthony Davis (PF)

Prob Sat Foot - 27 / 01 / 23

LeBron James (SF)

Prob Wed Ankle - 25 / 01 / 23

LeBron James (SF)

Prob Tues Ankle - 23 / 01 / 23

LeBron James (SF)

Prob Sun Ankle - 21 / 01 / 23

Denver

Bones Hyland (PG)

Prob Sat Illness - 04 / 02 / 23

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)

Ques Tues Ankle - 04 / 02 / 23

Nikola Jokic (C)

Prob Sat Hamstring - 03 / 02 / 23

Aaron Gordon (PF)

Ques Sat Ankle - 01 / 02 / 23

Jamal Murray (SG)

Prob Tues Knee - 30 / 01 / 23

Jamal Murray (SG)

Prob Sat Hip - 27 / 01 / 23

Bruce Brown (PG)

Prob Sat Knee - 27 / 01 / 23

Nikola Jokic (C)

Prob Sat Hamstring - 25 / 01 / 23

Jamal Murray (SG)

Out Wed Rest - 25 / 01 / 23

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)

Prob Sat Wrist - 25 / 01 / 23

Injuries

L.A. Lakers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Russell Westbrook (PG)	Prob Sat	Illness - 04 / 02 / 23	0-1	0-1	+ -
Westbrook is managing an illness, but he is predicted to be available for Saturday's showdown with the Pelicans.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Prob Sat	Foot - 03 / 02 / 23	0-1	0-1	+ -
Davis is dealing with a right foot stress injury, but it is not expected to impede his status for Saturday's tilt versus the Pelicans.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Prob Thurs	Foot - 01 / 02 / 23	1-2	1-2	+ -
Davis is hindered by a right foot stress injury, but it is projected that he will participate in Thursday's game against the Pacers.
Patrick Beverley (PG)	Prob Thurs	Knee - 31 / 01 / 23	2-2	2-2	+ -
Beverley was held out of the last contest with left knee soreness, but it is likely that he will take on the Pacers on Thursday.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Prob Tues	Foot - 29 / 01 / 23	3-2	2-3	+ -
Davis was held out of the previous contest with a right foot stress injury, but it is expected that he will be active for Tuesday's clash versus the Knicks.
Lonnie Walker IV (SG)	Prob Mon	Knee - 29 / 01 / 23	3-2	2-3	+ -
Walker is nursing left knee tendinitis, but it is not expected to impact his status for Monday's showdown with the Nets.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Prob Sat	Foot - 27 / 01 / 23	3-2	2-3	+ -
Davis is dealing with a stress injury in his right foot, but it is not expected to impact his status on Saturday against the Celtics.
LeBron James (SF)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 25 / 01 / 23	4-3	3-4	+ -
James is nursing left ankle soreness, but it is anticipated that he will suit up versus the Spurs on Wednesday.
LeBron James (SF)	Prob Tues	Ankle - 23 / 01 / 23	5-3	3-5	+ -
James is nursing left ankle soreness, but it is likely that he will suit up versus the Clippers on Tuesday.
LeBron James (SF)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 21 / 01 / 23	5-4	3-6	+ -
James is nursing left ankle soreness, but it is anticipated that he will suit up versus the trail Blazers on Sunday.

Denver

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Bones Hyland (PG)	Prob Sat	Illness - 04 / 02 / 23	2-0	2-0	+ -
Hyland is nursing a non-COVID illness, but it is not expected to impact his status against the Hawks on Saturday.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)	Ques Tues	Ankle - 04 / 02 / 23	2-0	2-0	+ -
Caldwell-Pope left Saturday's match with an ankle injury, and it is undetermined if he will play on Tuesday versus the Timberwolves
Nikola Jokic (C)	Prob Sat	Hamstring - 03 / 02 / 23	3-0	3-0	+ -
Jokic is nursing left hamstring tightness, but he is predicted to be active against the Hawks in Saturday's game.
Aaron Gordon (PF)	Ques Sat	Ankle - 01 / 02 / 23	3-1	4-0	+ -
Gordon missed the previous contest with a left ankle sprain, and it is up in the air if he will play against the Hawks on Saturday.
Jamal Murray (SG)	Prob Tues	Knee - 30 / 01 / 23	3-1	4-0	+ -
Murray is battling a left knee issue, but it is expected that he will suit up for Tuesday's matchup versus the Pelicans.
Jamal Murray (SG)	Prob Sat	Hip - 27 / 01 / 23	4-1	4-1	+ -
Murray is dealing with a left hip sprain, but it is forecasted that he will face off in Saturday's contest with the 76ers.
Bruce Brown (PG)	Prob Sat	Knee - 27 / 01 / 23	4-1	4-1	+ -
Brown is nursing left knee inflammation, but it is expected that he will suit up versus the 76ers on Saturday.
Nikola Jokic (C)	Prob Sat	Hamstring - 25 / 01 / 23	4-3	4-3	+ -
Jokic was held out of the previous game due to left hamstring tightness, but it is anticipated that he will be active in Saturday's contest versus the 76ers.
Jamal Murray (SG)	Out Wed	Rest - 25 / 01 / 23	4-3	4-3	+ -
Murray will not suit up for Wednesday's clash with the Bucks as he will be given a day of rest.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)	Prob Sat	Wrist - 25 / 01 / 23	4-3	4-3	+ -
Caldwell-Pope sat out the last game with a right wrist sprain, but it is predicted that he will partake in Saturday's showdown with the 76ers.