Lakers vs. Nuggets: NBA odds, Picks and Predictions
Lakers vs. Nuggets Odds
| Lakers Odds | +10 |
| Nuggets Odds | -10 |
| Over/Under | 241 |
| Date | Mon, Jan. 9 |
| Time | 9:00 p.m. |
| TV | SportsNet |
On Monday evening, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers will travel into the altitude to battle the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Ahead of tip-off, Denver is tied with the Memphis Grizzlies for the best record in the Western Conference, with Los Angeles trailing in the standings by 7.5 games. Oddsmakers are expecting the Nuggets, 8-2 in their last 10 games, to stay hot to begin the new week, pricing Denver as 10-point home favorites on the spread.
Los Angeles Lakers
Life without Anthony Davis
Since Anthony Davis last played on December 16, the Lakers are 7-5 overall, ranking 17th in the NBA in Net Rating. On the road, the team is 4-4, having been outscored by 3.0 points per 100 possessions. Entering play, LeBron James and company have won five games in a row – defeating the Atlanta Hawks (twice), Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, and Sacramento Kings in the process. Per Cleaning the Glass, Los Angeles ranks in the 53rd percentile in offensive efficiency and the 16th percentile in defensive efficiency when Davis is on the sidelines this year.
James keeping Lakers afloat
Per CourtIQ, James is averaging 32.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per 36 minutes of action this season without Davis. In the Lakers’ last 12 games, James has increased his scoring to 34.9 points per 36 minutes, and has not scored fewer than 25 points in a contest in the last 30 days. Entering play, the 38 year old superstar is averaging 35.0 points on 54.8% shooting from the floor to begin the month of January.
Denver Nuggets
Dominant at home
Entering play on Monday, Denver is tied with Memphis for the best home record in the entire NBA at 16-3. In 19 home games, the Nuggets have outscored their opponents by 10.6 points per 100 possessions, ranking second among all teams in offensive efficiency and seventh in defensive efficiency. They have been led by the reigning two-time MVP, Nikola Jokic, who is averaging a triple-double at Ball Arena this year – 26.0 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 10.6 assists per game.
Jamal Murray finding his groove
Denver is 10-2 in the last 12 games in which Jamal Murray has taken the floor. Per Cleaning the Glass, Denver ranks in the 96th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 54th percentile in defensive efficiency with him on the court this season, compared to the 71st percentile in offensive efficiency and the 15th percentile in defensive efficiency when he is on the sidelines. As Murray gets healthier, he is only likely to get better. In three games to begin January, he is averaging 16.7 points, shooting 57.1% from the field and 53.8% from beyond-the-arc.
Lakers vs. Nuggets – Picks & Predictions
Even during the Lakers’ five-game winning streak, defense has been an afterthought – allowing 114 points or more to every team except for the Miami Heat. In eight road games since Anthony Davis last played, Los Angeles ranks 24th in the league in defensive efficiency, allowing 121.1 points per 100 possessions. Playing at home this year, Denver is scoring 120.1 points per 100 possessions, which is the second-best mark in the NBA. Expect another strong performance from the Nuggets in this spot, especially with Jamal Murray having multiple days of rest to prepare for this game – take the over on Denver’s team total.
PICK: Denver Nuggets Team Total o124.5 points (-140, MGM)
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