Nuggets vs. Lakers Point Spread: NBA Odds, Prediction
It’s accurate to go ahead and call every game the rest of the way a must win for the Lakers as it sure appears as if LeBron James will miss the playoffs after making eight straight NBA Finals. Hey, that’s what he gets for leaving the weaker East for the much stronger Western Conference. LeBron hasn’t missed the postseason since his first two years in the league with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Most projections give the Lakers less than a one percent chance of making it. It’s why they have decided not to take a chance on signing LeBron’s buddy, Carmelo Anthony, for the rest of the season.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Denver will be in the playoffs and still is battling with Golden State for the West’s top seed. The Nuggets shouldn’t finish any worse than second in the regular-season standings.
These teams split two meetings back in November, each winning at home, and this wraps up the series. At Staples Center, the Lakers are 25-11 against the Nuggets all-time in the regular season. Kyle Kuzma is averaging 21.5 points vs. Denver this season, while James is putting up 21.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 6.5 assists. Jamal Murray is putting up 21.0 points vs. the Lakers, while All-Star centre and MVP candidate Nikola Jokic is at 19.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists.
The home team has covered the past eight in this series.
Denver Nuggets
Denver lost a third straight game Monday, 104-103 in San Antonio. The Nuggets, down as much as 21 at one point, had a few chances to take the late lead but either missed a shot or turned the ball over. Gary Harris missed a turnaround 3-pointer from the left corner as time expired. Not exactly the ideal shot in that situation. Murray led Denver with 25 points, his fourth in a row with at least 20. Murray should have been taking that final shot. Jokic had 22 points and 10 rebounds. Denver is a fabulous 27-6 at home but just 15-15 on the road. The Nuggets have failed to cover their past five Wednesday games.
Los Angeles Lakers
It’s just about time to stick a fork in the Lakers as they fell to 2-5 since the All-Star break when they were upset Monday by the Clippers, 113-105. LeBron had 27 points, eight rebounds and six assists, but his team was outscored by 11 with him on the court. Rajon Rondo had a triple-double of 24 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds. L.A. played without third-leading scorer Brandon Ingram due to shoulder soreness, and second-leading scorer Kuzma is unlikely for Wednesday after injuring his ankle during the game. The Lakers are 1-4 ATS in their past five vs. the Western Conference.
