Thursday night in L.A. will be the first meeting between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers since September 26 of last year, also known as Game 5 of the Western Conference Final.
The eventual NBA champion Lakers took last year’s Western Conference Final series with Denver in five games with a 10-point win to close out.
Now over 20 games into the 2020–21 season, the Nuggets and Lakers find themselves beside each other in the standings. The 16-6 Lakers fell to third in the West this week, while the 12-8 Nuggets are starting to emerge from the cluster of middling teams. Tip-off is 10 p.m. EST.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
After breaking out in the 2020 playoffs, Canadian Jamal Murray led the way for Denver with 25 points per game in last year’s series with L.A. Ultimately the duo of Anthony Davis and LeBron James were too much for the Nuggets, as Davis averaged over 31 points per game in the series while James scored 27 a game with 10.4 rebounds and nine assists a night too.
Flash forward to 2021 and all three stars are averaging nowhere near their playoff numbers, James the highest scorer at 25 points a game. It’s still led to team success as both rank in the top five in points differential, Los Angeles second with +7.7 and Denver fifth with +4.9.
Los Angeles is a 5.5-point favourite on the NBA odds. The total’s set at 219.5.
Denver Nuggets
A season-high 47 points from Nikola Jokić, who’s in the thick of the MVP race, gave Denver the extra push in a 128-117 win over Utah on Sunday. The win was the Nuggets’ sixth in their last seven appearances. Denver was supposed to host Detroit on Monday, but some last-minute contact tracing on the Pistons side led to a postponement and three days off for Denver.
With the West still extremely close, Denver’s currently in fourth place, but just a game-and-a-half out of 10th. They’re three games back of the Lakers, so Thursday is creeping into now or never territory if Denver is hoping to get home-court into the second round of the playoffs.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are consistent, for good and bad. The good stems from a league-best 104 points against per game. Another pro is 36-year-old LeBron, who’s started all 22 of Los Angeles’ games while putting up a minimum of 17 points, five rebounds, and five assists in any contest.
The not so good has to do with L.A.’s play at home. With a 4-4 record at the Staples Center, the Lakers are giving up nearly more points per game at home. That ranks 16th in the NBA, and is one area Frank Vogel’s club needs to improve in if they are aiming to hoist another Larry O’Brien.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Nuggets vs. Lakers?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 2 Feb 12:47pm | DEN | -5.5 -118 | O +165.5 -106 |
| Closing 4 Feb 3:59pm | DEN | -5 -110 | O +217 -114 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Nuggets Team Leaders
| Points |
26.36 |
| Assists |
8.32 |
| Rebounds |
10.83 |
| FG% |
56.6 |
| Steals |
1.33 |
| Blocks |
1.08 |
| Points |
25.02 |
| Assists |
7.78 |
| Rebounds |
10.19 |
| FG% |
62.2 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
1.64 |
| Points |
29.8 |
| Assists |
5.5 |
| Rebounds |
11.6 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.4 |
| Blocks |
1.25 |
| Points |
23.33 |
| Assists |
8 |
| Rebounds |
11 |
| FG% |
61.5 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.6 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Lakers Team Leaders
| Points |
26.36 |
| Assists |
8.32 |
| Rebounds |
10.83 |
| FG% |
56.6 |
| Steals |
1.33 |
| Blocks |
1.08 |
| Points |
25.02 |
| Assists |
7.78 |
| Rebounds |
10.19 |
| FG% |
62.2 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
1.64 |
| Points |
29.8 |
| Assists |
5.5 |
| Rebounds |
11.6 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.4 |
| Blocks |
1.25 |
| Points |
23.33 |
| Assists |
8 |
| Rebounds |
11 |
| FG% |
61.5 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.6 |
Injuries
Michael Porter Jr. (PF)
Austin Rivers (PG)
Paul Millsap (PF)
Facundo Campazzo (PG)
Aaron Gordon (PF)
Monte Morris (PG)
Michael Porter Jr. (PF)
Aaron Gordon (PF)
PJ Dozier (SG)
Zeke Nnaji (PF)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Andre Drummond (C)
Alex Caruso (SG)
Kyle Kuzma (PF)
Kyle Kuzma (PF)
Alfonzo McKinnie (SF)
Marc Gasol (C)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Porter Jr. (PF) | Prob Wed | Back - 09 / 06 / 21 | 0-3 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Porter Jr. is expected to take on the Suns in Game 2 of the Western Conference second round despite a back injury. |
|||||
| Austin Rivers (PG) | Prob Sat | Illness - 21 / 05 / 21 | 4-6 | 7-3 | + - |
|
Rivers is ailing from an illness, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round. |
|||||
| Paul Millsap (PF) | Out Fri | Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 | 6-6 | 7-5 | + - |
|
Millsap will not take the court versus the Pistons on Friday as he will be handed a day of rest. |
|||||
| Facundo Campazzo (PG) | Out Fri | Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 | 6-6 | 7-5 | + - |
|
Campazzo will be held out of the lineup against the Pistons on Friday as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| Aaron Gordon (PF) | Out Fri | Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 | 6-6 | 7-5 | + - |
|
Gordon will not be available for Friday's matchup with the Pistons as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Monte Morris (PG) | Out Thurs | Rest - 13 / 05 / 21 | 6-7 | 8-5 | + - |
|
Morris will not be available for Thursday's contest versus the Timberwolves as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Michael Porter Jr. (PF) | Out Thurs | Rest - 13 / 05 / 21 | 6-7 | 8-5 | + - |
|
Porter Jr. will not take the court against the Timberwolves on Thursday as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| Aaron Gordon (PF) | Prob Tues | Calf - 09 / 05 / 21 | 6-9 | 10-5 | + - |
|
Gordon is dealing with right calf tightness, but he is likely to suit up for Tuesday's battle against the Hornets. |
|||||
| PJ Dozier (SG) | Late June | Groin - 04 / 05 / 21 | 8-10 | 10-8 | + - |
|
Dozier is sidelined with a right adductor strain, and he is not expected to be available until the later part of June. |
|||||
| Zeke Nnaji (PF) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 30 / 04 / 21 | 9-11 | 11-9 | + - |
|
Nnaji has sat out the previous four games due to a sprained left ankle, and it is up in the air if he will take the court versus the Nets on Saturday. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) | Ques Thurs | Knee - 02 / 06 / 21 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Caldwell-Pope is nursing a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 6 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns. |
|||||
| Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF) | Out indefinitely | Personal - 31 / 05 / 21 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Antetokounmpo is away from the team while tending to a personal matter, and there is no timetable for return. |
|||||
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) | Prob Tues | Knee - 28 / 05 / 21 | 2-2 | 0-3-1 | + - |
|
Caldwell-Pope is nursing a left knee contusion, but he is likely to suit up for Game 5 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns. |
|||||
| Andre Drummond (C) | Ques Sun | Leg - 20 / 05 / 21 | 3-3 | 0-5-1 | + - |
|
Drummond is dealing with a leg injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns. |
|||||
| Alex Caruso (SG) | Prob Sun | Foot - 16 / 05 / 21 | 3-4 | 1-5-1 | + - |
|
Caruso is battling left foot soreness, but he is likely to be active for Sunday's game versus the Pelicans. |
|||||
| Kyle Kuzma (PF) | Prob Sun | Back - 16 / 05 / 21 | 3-4 | 1-5-1 | + - |
|
Kuzma is bothered by lower-back tightness, but he is projected to be available for Sunday's contest against the Pelicans. |
|||||
| Kyle Kuzma (PF) | Prob Sat | Back - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-5 | 2-5-1 | + - |
|
Kuzma is hindered by lower-back tightness, but he is likely to be in Saturday's lineup versus the Pacers. |
|||||
| Alfonzo McKinnie (SF) | Prob Sun | Foot - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-5 | 2-5-1 | + - |
|
McKinnie was held out of the last game with a right foot sprain, but it is likely that he will take on the Pelicans on Sunday. |
|||||
| Marc Gasol (C) | Prob Sun | Finger - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-5 | 2-5-1 | + - |
|
Gasol missed the last game due to a finger injury, but it is anticipated that he will be available to face the Pelicans on Sunday. |
|||||
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) | Prob Wed | Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21 | 4-6 | 3-6-1 | + - |
|
Caldwell-Pope is expected to suit up against the Rockets despite an ankle injury. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 2 Feb 12:47pm DEN -5.5 -118 O +165.5 -106 Closing 4 Feb 3:59pm DEN -5 -110 O +217 -114 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Nuggets Team Leaders
Points 26.36
Assists 8.32
Rebounds 10.83
FG% 56.6
Steals 1.33
Blocks 1.08
Points 25.02
Assists 7.78
Rebounds 10.19
FG% 62.2
Steals 1.25
Blocks 1.64
Points 29.8
Assists 5.5
Rebounds 11.6
FG% 100
Steals 1.4
Blocks 1.25
Points 23.33
Assists 8
Rebounds 11
FG% 61.5
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.6
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Lakers Team Leaders
Points 26.36
Assists 8.32
Rebounds 10.83
FG% 56.6
Steals 1.33
Blocks 1.08
Points 25.02
Assists 7.78
Rebounds 10.19
FG% 62.2
Steals 1.25
Blocks 1.64
Points 29.8
Assists 5.5
Rebounds 11.6
FG% 100
Steals 1.4
Blocks 1.25
Points 23.33
Assists 8
Rebounds 11
FG% 61.5
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.6
-
Injuries
Michael Porter Jr. (PF)
Prob Wed Back - 09 / 06 / 21Austin Rivers (PG)
Prob Sat Illness - 21 / 05 / 21Paul Millsap (PF)
Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21Facundo Campazzo (PG)
Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21Aaron Gordon (PF)
Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21Monte Morris (PG)
Out Thurs Rest - 13 / 05 / 21Michael Porter Jr. (PF)
Out Thurs Rest - 13 / 05 / 21Aaron Gordon (PF)
Prob Tues Calf - 09 / 05 / 21PJ Dozier (SG)
Late June Groin - 04 / 05 / 21Zeke Nnaji (PF)
Ques Sat Ankle - 30 / 04 / 21Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Ques Thurs Knee - 02 / 06 / 21Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF)
Out indefinitely Personal - 31 / 05 / 21Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Prob Tues Knee - 28 / 05 / 21Andre Drummond (C)
Ques Sun Leg - 20 / 05 / 21Alex Caruso (SG)
Prob Sun Foot - 16 / 05 / 21Kyle Kuzma (PF)
Prob Sun Back - 16 / 05 / 21Kyle Kuzma (PF)
Prob Sat Back - 14 / 05 / 21Alfonzo McKinnie (SF)
Prob Sun Foot - 14 / 05 / 21Marc Gasol (C)
Prob Sun Finger - 14 / 05 / 21Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Prob Wed Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Michael Porter Jr. (PF) Prob Wed Back - 09 / 06 / 21 0-3 1-2 + - Porter Jr. is expected to take on the Suns in Game 2 of the Western Conference second round despite a back injury.
Austin Rivers (PG) Prob Sat Illness - 21 / 05 / 21 4-6 7-3 + - Rivers is ailing from an illness, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.
Paul Millsap (PF) Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 6-6 7-5 + - Millsap will not take the court versus the Pistons on Friday as he will be handed a day of rest.
Facundo Campazzo (PG) Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 6-6 7-5 + - Campazzo will be held out of the lineup against the Pistons on Friday as he will receive a day of rest.
Aaron Gordon (PF) Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 6-6 7-5 + - Gordon will not be available for Friday's matchup with the Pistons as he will be given a day of rest.
Monte Morris (PG) Out Thurs Rest - 13 / 05 / 21 6-7 8-5 + - Morris will not be available for Thursday's contest versus the Timberwolves as he will be given a day of rest.
Michael Porter Jr. (PF) Out Thurs Rest - 13 / 05 / 21 6-7 8-5 + - Porter Jr. will not take the court against the Timberwolves on Thursday as he will receive a day of rest.
Aaron Gordon (PF) Prob Tues Calf - 09 / 05 / 21 6-9 10-5 + - Gordon is dealing with right calf tightness, but he is likely to suit up for Tuesday's battle against the Hornets.
PJ Dozier (SG) Late June Groin - 04 / 05 / 21 8-10 10-8 + - Dozier is sidelined with a right adductor strain, and he is not expected to be available until the later part of June.
Zeke Nnaji (PF) Ques Sat Ankle - 30 / 04 / 21 9-11 11-9 + - Nnaji has sat out the previous four games due to a sprained left ankle, and it is up in the air if he will take the court versus the Nets on Saturday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) Ques Thurs Knee - 02 / 06 / 21 0-2 0-2 + - Caldwell-Pope is nursing a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 6 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF) Out indefinitely Personal - 31 / 05 / 21 0-2 0-2 + - Antetokounmpo is away from the team while tending to a personal matter, and there is no timetable for return.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) Prob Tues Knee - 28 / 05 / 21 2-2 0-3-1 + - Caldwell-Pope is nursing a left knee contusion, but he is likely to suit up for Game 5 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Andre Drummond (C) Ques Sun Leg - 20 / 05 / 21 3-3 0-5-1 + - Drummond is dealing with a leg injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Alex Caruso (SG) Prob Sun Foot - 16 / 05 / 21 3-4 1-5-1 + - Caruso is battling left foot soreness, but he is likely to be active for Sunday's game versus the Pelicans.
Kyle Kuzma (PF) Prob Sun Back - 16 / 05 / 21 3-4 1-5-1 + - Kuzma is bothered by lower-back tightness, but he is projected to be available for Sunday's contest against the Pelicans.
Kyle Kuzma (PF) Prob Sat Back - 14 / 05 / 21 3-5 2-5-1 + - Kuzma is hindered by lower-back tightness, but he is likely to be in Saturday's lineup versus the Pacers.
Alfonzo McKinnie (SF) Prob Sun Foot - 14 / 05 / 21 3-5 2-5-1 + - McKinnie was held out of the last game with a right foot sprain, but it is likely that he will take on the Pelicans on Sunday.
Marc Gasol (C) Prob Sun Finger - 14 / 05 / 21 3-5 2-5-1 + - Gasol missed the last game due to a finger injury, but it is anticipated that he will be available to face the Pelicans on Sunday.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) Prob Wed Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21 4-6 3-6-1 + - Caldwell-Pope is expected to suit up against the Rockets despite an ankle injury.