The Denver Nuggets look to gain ground in the race for the top of the Western Conference standings with a sixth straight victory when they visit the Los Angeles Lakers in Saturday night NBA betting action at Crypto.com Arena.
The Nuggets are coming off a narrow 103-97 win over Miami on Thursday night, and with both Minnesota and Oklahoma City coming off losses, Denver now sits just one game back of first place in the standings. The Lakers have revitalized their playoff hopes by winning nine of 12 including four straight at home, but have work to do to put the brakes on a seven-game head-to-head losing streak against the Nuggets.
This contest has emerged as a pick ‘em on the Saturday NBA moneyline, with the Lakers pegged as a -135 bet to cover as 1.5-point underdogs. The total is listed at 228.5.
Nuggets vs. Lakers NBA Betting Odds
The Nuggets needed to hold off a fourth-quarter rally by the heat to seal Thursday’s victory. That hard-fought victory followed four dominating wins to begin their current streak, with the Nuggets claiming victory by an average margin of 18 points in those contests. That run has featured a pair of road victories in Golden State and Portland. However, Denver has struggled to maintain consistency on the road, where they have gone just 6-6 SU over their past 12, covered in just five of 14. However, the Nuggets have faced little opposition during their current win streak against the Lakers, which includes their four-game sweep during last spring’s NBA playoffs and three straight victories in L.A.
The Lakers have climbed to within three games of sixth place in the West during their resurgence, but have also been a betting disappointment, covering the spread just once in their past five overall and just twice over their past five home dates. Los Angeles has also gone just 3-4 SU and ATS in its past seven as a home dog.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets struggled to maintain offensive momentum in Thursday’s win over Miami, recording just 20 points in each of the second and fourth quarters, ending a four-game run in which they averaged 123.3 points per game. Michael Porter Jr. emerged as the club’s top producer with 30 points and 11 rebounds. In addition to reaching 30 points twice over his past four appearances, Porter has recorded double-doubles in three of five outings, and also racked up 27 points in the Nuggets’ 114-106 win in Los Angeles on February 8. Nikola Jokic enters the weekend looking to record his fifth triple-double in six games, but the big man has averaged only 16 points over the past two games. Complicating matters in the uncertain status of star point guard Jamal Murray, who is questionable for Saturday after leaving Thursday’s game with an ankle injury.
Los Angeles Lakers
Both Anthony Davis and LeBron James remain fixtures on the Lakers’ pre-game injury report as they deal with lingering Achilles and ankle injuries, respectively. But those ailments have not slowed down the superstar duo. AD and LBJ combined to score 71 of the Lakers 134 points in Thursday’s overtime win over the Wizards, and have played a central role in this team’s return to the playoff hunt. Thursday’s 40-point performance marked the fourth time that Davis has reached 40 points this season. Davis has also averaged 13.8 boards per game while recording five straight double-doubles. James has led the Lakers in scoring three times while averaging 30.8 points per game over his last four contests. LBJ has also recorded at least 25 points in nine of 12 dates with Denver, and is worth considering as a -115 bet on the NBA player props to drop OVER 25.5 points on Saturday night. But before placing that bet, be sure to check in on his injury status.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Nuggets vs. Lakers?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 2 Mar 12:47am | LAL | -1.5 -105 | O +231.5 -110 |
| Closing 3 Mar 3:22am | LAL | -3.5 -105 | O +237.5 -115 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Nuggets Team Leaders
| Points |
26.39 |
| Assists |
8.96 |
| Rebounds |
12.35 |
| FG% |
62.4 |
| Steals |
1.37 |
| Blocks |
1.1 |
| Points |
25.66 |
| Assists |
8.3 |
| Rebounds |
12.64 |
| FG% |
72 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
2.34 |
| Points |
28.67 |
| Assists |
8.67 |
| Rebounds |
13.42 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
1.42 |
| Blocks |
0.83 |
| Points |
27.8 |
| Assists |
8.8 |
| Rebounds |
15.6 |
| FG% |
63.4 |
| Steals |
2.4 |
| Blocks |
1.6 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Lakers Team Leaders
| Points |
26.39 |
| Assists |
8.96 |
| Rebounds |
12.35 |
| FG% |
62.4 |
| Steals |
1.37 |
| Blocks |
1.1 |
| Points |
25.66 |
| Assists |
8.3 |
| Rebounds |
12.64 |
| FG% |
72 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
2.34 |
| Points |
28.67 |
| Assists |
8.67 |
| Rebounds |
13.42 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
1.42 |
| Blocks |
0.83 |
| Points |
27.8 |
| Assists |
8.8 |
| Rebounds |
15.6 |
| FG% |
63.4 |
| Steals |
2.4 |
| Blocks |
1.6 |
Injuries
Jamal Murray (SG)
Jamal Murray (SG)
Jamal Murray (SG)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Reggie Jackson (PG)
Jamal Murray (SG)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Reggie Jackson (PG)
Jamal Murray (SG)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Cam Reddish (SF)
Cam Reddish (SF)
Gabe Vincent (SG)
Jaxson Hayes (C)
D'Angelo Russell (PG)
Taurean Prince (SF)
Jalen Hood-Schifino (PG)
Cam Reddish (SF)
Cam Reddish (SF)
Cam Reddish (SF)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamal Murray (SG) | Prob Sun | Elbow - 18 / 05 / 24 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Murray left the last game with an elbow injury, but he is likely to be on court against the Timberwolves in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals. |
|||||
| Jamal Murray (SG) | Ques Thurs | Calf - 15 / 05 / 24 | 2-1 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Murray is dealing with a left calf strain, and it is unknown if he will face the Timberwolves in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals. |
|||||
| Jamal Murray (SG) | Prob Tues | Calf - 13 / 05 / 24 | 2-1 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Murray is dealing with a left calf strain, but he is likely to be on court against the Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals. |
|||||
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) | Ques Sun | Ankle - 12 / 05 / 24 | 3-1 | 3-1 | + - |
|
Caldwell-Pope is sidelined with a left ankle sprain, and it is undetermined if he will suit up for Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Timberwolves. |
|||||
| Reggie Jackson (PG) | Ques Sun | Calf - 12 / 05 / 24 | 3-1 | 3-1 | + - |
|
Jackson is hampered by a left calf contusion, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Timberwolves. |
|||||
| Jamal Murray (SG) | Ques Sun | Calf - 12 / 05 / 24 | 3-1 | 3-1 | + - |
|
Murray is managing a left calf strain, and it remains to be seen if he will play against the Timberwolves in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals. |
|||||
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) | Ques Sun | Ankle - 11 / 05 / 24 | 3-2 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Caldwell-Pope is sidelined with a left ankle sprain, and it is undetermined if he will suit up for Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Timberwolves. |
|||||
| Reggie Jackson (PG) | Ques Sun | Calf - 11 / 05 / 24 | 3-2 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Jackson is hampered by a left calf contusion, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Timberwolves. |
|||||
| Jamal Murray (SG) | Ques Sun | Calf - 11 / 05 / 24 | 3-2 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Murray is managing a left calf strain, and it remains to be seen if he will play against the Timberwolves in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals. |
|||||
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) | Prob Fri | Abdominal - 09 / 05 / 24 | 3-2 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Caldwell-Pope has been bothered from right abdominal contusion, and it is likely to suit up against the Timberwolves in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cam Reddish (SF) | Out Mon | Ankle - 16 / 04 / 24 | 3-2 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Reddish is hampered by a right ankle sprain, and he will not suit up against the Nuggets in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round. |
|||||
| Cam Reddish (SF) | Prob Wed | Personal - 01 / 04 / 24 | 6-6 | 7-5 | + - |
|
Reddish was absent from the last match while tending to a personal matter, but it is anticipated that he will dress for Wednesday's showdown versus the Wizards. |
|||||
| Gabe Vincent (SG) | Prob Wed | Knee - 01 / 04 / 24 | 6-6 | 7-5 | + - |
|
Vincent missed the previous contest with a left knee injury, but it is not expected to impact his status against the Wizards on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Jaxson Hayes (C) | Prob Tues | Calf - 31 / 03 / 24 | 6-7 | 7-6 | + - |
|
Hayes missed the last game with a left calf contusion, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Tuesday's clash with the Raptors. |
|||||
| D'Angelo Russell (PG) | Prob Tues | Illness - 24 / 03 / 24 | 9-8 | 10-7 | + - |
|
Russell missed the last game ailing from an illness, but it is anticipated that he will take the court against the Bucks on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Taurean Prince (SF) | Prob Sun | Personal - 22 / 03 / 24 | 10-8 | 11-7 | + - |
|
Prince missed the last contest due to a personal matter, but it is expected that he will suit up against the Pacers on Sunday. |
|||||
| Jalen Hood-Schifino (PG) | Out indefinitely | Back - 21 / 03 / 24 | 10-8 | 11-7 | + - |
|
Hood-Schifino is idle after undergoing a lumbar microdiscectomy procedure, and the severity of the ailment is unknown. |
|||||
| Cam Reddish (SF) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 10 / 03 / 24 | 12-10 | 14-8 | + - |
|
Reddish has been absent the previous four games due to a right ankle sprain, but it is anticipated that he will take the floor against the 76ers on Friday. |
|||||
| Cam Reddish (SF) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 07 / 03 / 24 | 13-11 | 15-9 | + - |
|
Reddish is expected to lace up for Friday's matchup with the Bucks despite a right ankle sprain. |
|||||
| Cam Reddish (SF) | Ques Fri | Ankle - 05 / 03 / 24 | 13-12 | 16-9 | + - |
|
Reddish missed the last game nursing a right ankle sprain, and it is yet to be determined if he will take the court Friday against the Bucks. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 2 Mar 12:47am LAL -1.5 -105 O +231.5 -110 Closing 3 Mar 3:22am LAL -3.5 -105 O +237.5 -115 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Nuggets Team Leaders
Points 26.39
Assists 8.96
Rebounds 12.35
FG% 62.4
Steals 1.37
Blocks 1.1
Points 25.66
Assists 8.3
Rebounds 12.64
FG% 72
Steals 1.25
Blocks 2.34
Points 28.67
Assists 8.67
Rebounds 13.42
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.42
Blocks 0.83
Points 27.8
Assists 8.8
Rebounds 15.6
FG% 63.4
Steals 2.4
Blocks 1.6
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Lakers Team Leaders
Points 26.39
Assists 8.96
Rebounds 12.35
FG% 62.4
Steals 1.37
Blocks 1.1
Points 25.66
Assists 8.3
Rebounds 12.64
FG% 72
Steals 1.25
Blocks 2.34
Points 28.67
Assists 8.67
Rebounds 13.42
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.42
Blocks 0.83
Points 27.8
Assists 8.8
Rebounds 15.6
FG% 63.4
Steals 2.4
Blocks 1.6
-
Injuries
Jamal Murray (SG)
Prob Sun Elbow - 18 / 05 / 24Jamal Murray (SG)
Ques Thurs Calf - 15 / 05 / 24Jamal Murray (SG)
Prob Tues Calf - 13 / 05 / 24Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Ques Sun Ankle - 12 / 05 / 24Reggie Jackson (PG)
Ques Sun Calf - 12 / 05 / 24Jamal Murray (SG)
Ques Sun Calf - 12 / 05 / 24Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Ques Sun Ankle - 11 / 05 / 24Reggie Jackson (PG)
Ques Sun Calf - 11 / 05 / 24Jamal Murray (SG)
Ques Sun Calf - 11 / 05 / 24Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Prob Fri Abdominal - 09 / 05 / 24Cam Reddish (SF)
Out Mon Ankle - 16 / 04 / 24Cam Reddish (SF)
Prob Wed Personal - 01 / 04 / 24Gabe Vincent (SG)
Prob Wed Knee - 01 / 04 / 24Jaxson Hayes (C)
Prob Tues Calf - 31 / 03 / 24D'Angelo Russell (PG)
Prob Tues Illness - 24 / 03 / 24Taurean Prince (SF)
Prob Sun Personal - 22 / 03 / 24Jalen Hood-Schifino (PG)
Out indefinitely Back - 21 / 03 / 24Cam Reddish (SF)
Prob Fri Ankle - 10 / 03 / 24Cam Reddish (SF)
Prob Fri Ankle - 07 / 03 / 24Cam Reddish (SF)
Ques Fri Ankle - 05 / 03 / 24Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jamal Murray (SG) Prob Sun Elbow - 18 / 05 / 24 0-1 0-1 + - Murray left the last game with an elbow injury, but he is likely to be on court against the Timberwolves in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Jamal Murray (SG) Ques Thurs Calf - 15 / 05 / 24 2-1 2-1 + - Murray is dealing with a left calf strain, and it is unknown if he will face the Timberwolves in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Jamal Murray (SG) Prob Tues Calf - 13 / 05 / 24 2-1 2-1 + - Murray is dealing with a left calf strain, but he is likely to be on court against the Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) Ques Sun Ankle - 12 / 05 / 24 3-1 3-1 + - Caldwell-Pope is sidelined with a left ankle sprain, and it is undetermined if he will suit up for Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Timberwolves.
Reggie Jackson (PG) Ques Sun Calf - 12 / 05 / 24 3-1 3-1 + - Jackson is hampered by a left calf contusion, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Timberwolves.
Jamal Murray (SG) Ques Sun Calf - 12 / 05 / 24 3-1 3-1 + - Murray is managing a left calf strain, and it remains to be seen if he will play against the Timberwolves in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) Ques Sun Ankle - 11 / 05 / 24 3-2 3-2 + - Caldwell-Pope is sidelined with a left ankle sprain, and it is undetermined if he will suit up for Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Timberwolves.
Reggie Jackson (PG) Ques Sun Calf - 11 / 05 / 24 3-2 3-2 + - Jackson is hampered by a left calf contusion, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Timberwolves.
Jamal Murray (SG) Ques Sun Calf - 11 / 05 / 24 3-2 3-2 + - Murray is managing a left calf strain, and it remains to be seen if he will play against the Timberwolves in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) Prob Fri Abdominal - 09 / 05 / 24 3-2 3-2 + - Caldwell-Pope has been bothered from right abdominal contusion, and it is likely to suit up against the Timberwolves in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Cam Reddish (SF) Out Mon Ankle - 16 / 04 / 24 3-2 2-3 + - Reddish is hampered by a right ankle sprain, and he will not suit up against the Nuggets in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round.
Cam Reddish (SF) Prob Wed Personal - 01 / 04 / 24 6-6 7-5 + - Reddish was absent from the last match while tending to a personal matter, but it is anticipated that he will dress for Wednesday's showdown versus the Wizards.
Gabe Vincent (SG) Prob Wed Knee - 01 / 04 / 24 6-6 7-5 + - Vincent missed the previous contest with a left knee injury, but it is not expected to impact his status against the Wizards on Wednesday.
Jaxson Hayes (C) Prob Tues Calf - 31 / 03 / 24 6-7 7-6 + - Hayes missed the last game with a left calf contusion, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Tuesday's clash with the Raptors.
D'Angelo Russell (PG) Prob Tues Illness - 24 / 03 / 24 9-8 10-7 + - Russell missed the last game ailing from an illness, but it is anticipated that he will take the court against the Bucks on Tuesday.
Taurean Prince (SF) Prob Sun Personal - 22 / 03 / 24 10-8 11-7 + - Prince missed the last contest due to a personal matter, but it is expected that he will suit up against the Pacers on Sunday.
Jalen Hood-Schifino (PG) Out indefinitely Back - 21 / 03 / 24 10-8 11-7 + - Hood-Schifino is idle after undergoing a lumbar microdiscectomy procedure, and the severity of the ailment is unknown.
Cam Reddish (SF) Prob Fri Ankle - 10 / 03 / 24 12-10 14-8 + - Reddish has been absent the previous four games due to a right ankle sprain, but it is anticipated that he will take the floor against the 76ers on Friday.
Cam Reddish (SF) Prob Fri Ankle - 07 / 03 / 24 13-11 15-9 + - Reddish is expected to lace up for Friday's matchup with the Bucks despite a right ankle sprain.
Cam Reddish (SF) Ques Fri Ankle - 05 / 03 / 24 13-12 16-9 + - Reddish missed the last game nursing a right ankle sprain, and it is yet to be determined if he will take the court Friday against the Bucks.