Nuggets vs. Lakers Point Spread: NBA Odds, Prediction
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Jeremy Perry
The Los Angeles Lakers finally earned their first win of the season on Wednesday night when they visited the Phoenix Suns and topped them 131-113. On Thursday, they’ll return home to the Staples Center where they find themselves as a sizable home dog.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
These two teams are notable in that their straight-up records on the season are also their records against the spread. Denver has covered the spread in all four of its games and is also 4-0 in the NBA standings. The Lakers are 1-3 both straight up and against the spread.
The Nuggets have won and covered four of the last seven meetings but traditionally, the Lakers have had the edge in this series at home. They are 26-21-2 ATS and 36-13 SU in their last 49 times as the host. More recently, they’ve won and covered three of the last four meetings in Los Angeles.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets had not allowed 100 points in any of their first three games. They allowed 112 to the Kings on Tuesday, but they were never seriously threatened. They led 123-100 and cruised home to the finish line, still covering the spread, when head coach Michael Malone rested his starting players. The Nuggets are in a groove and their offence hummed along against Sacramento. The Nuggets hit just over 51 percent of their field goal attempts. All five starters hit over 54 percent of field goals. The offence was balanced and lethal. Seven Nuggets scored in double figures. The Nuggets assisted on 31 field goals, showing how well they moved the ball.
On defence, Denver collected 11 steals and forced 16 Sacramento turnovers, leading to easy baskets at the other end on some occasions. So many parts of the Nuggets’ approach are working smoothly. The lineup has meshed well, and Malone is distributing minutes extensively to make sure everyone gets at least 17 to 19 minutes per night among the main rotational players.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers will again be without Rajon Rondo and Brandon Ingram in this contest as they are both still suspended from their incident with the Houston Rockets. However, the Lakers offence hasn’t struggled without them. Los Angeles has scored at least 115 points in all four games this season. The Lakers scored 131 against the Suns on Wednesday as all five starters were in double figures. LeBron James only had 19 points as Lance Stephenson led the way with 23 and JaVale McGee had 20. While it might be hard to believe, McGree is averaging 16.3 points per game along with 7.0 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game. It’s early but he’s a candidate for Most Improved Player given how he’s performed.
The challenge for the Lakers has been defence. They’re allowing 127.0 points per game and that has to get better. They made a step in the right direction on Wednesday night by holding the Suns to 113 points but they still allowed them to shoot 52.4% from the field. The Lakers won’t win many games if they’re allowing their opponent to shoot that well.
