The Los Angeles Lakers (27-25) will host the Denver Nuggets (35-16) on Thursday in a matchup between Western Conference rivals. Denver is sitting as the third seed in conference standings. Meanwhile, Los Angeles has its work cut out to climb the standings as the Lakers are currently the ninth seed. LeBron James (ankle) and Anthony Davis (Achilles) are both questionable for Los Angeles. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (hamstring) is questionable for Denver.
Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The Nuggets are 3.5-point favorites in the latest Nuggets vs. Lakers odds, per SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points is 230. Before making any Lakers vs. Nuggets picks, you'll want to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the advanced computer model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 16 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 51-33 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $1,700. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
The model has set its sights on Nuggets vs. Lakers. You can head to SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are several NBA betting lines for Lakers vs. Nuggets:
- Nuggets vs. Lakers spread: Denver -3.5
- Nuggets vs. Lakers over/under: 230 points
- Nuggets vs. Lakers money line: Denver -162, Los Angeles +136
- DEN: The Nuggets are 2-4 ATS in their last six games
- LAL: The Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last five games at home
- Nuggets vs. Lakers picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Nuggets can cover
Center Nikola Jokic has such an impactful presence on the court. Jokic has great court vision as a playmaker and he can score in a variety of ways. The 28-year-old ranks fourth in the NBA in both rebounds (12.2) and assists (9) to go along with 26.3 points per game. He's finished with a triple-double in two of his last three contests. On Feb. 2, Jokic logged 27 points, 22 boards, and 12 assists.
Guard Jamal Murray is a smooth scorer in the backcourt. Murray has the skill set to score a bunch of points in a flash but constantly gets his teammates involved. The Kentucky product averages 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game. In his last outing, Murray tallied 21 points and 10 assists, and he's now logged 10-plus assists in consecutive games. See who to back at SportsLine.
Why the Lakers can cover
Center Davis (questionable) can dominate the game on both sides. Davis defends the paint at a high level and finishes around the rim with force. The nine-time All-Star swarms ball handlers when he defends them. Davis is third in the NBA in rebounds (12.3) and fifth in blocks (2.4), with 24.7 points per game.
In Monday's win over the Hornets, he tallied his third career triple-double with 26 points, 15 boards, and 11 assists. Meanwhile, guard Austin Reaves brings good playmaking into the backcourt. Reaves gets into the lane consistently but owns a reliable perimeter jumper. The Oklahoma product averages 15.5 points and 5.3 assists per contest. On Feb. 3 versus the Knicks, he had 22 points and seven assists. See who to back at SportsLine.
How to make Nuggets vs. Lakers picks
The model has simulated Lakers vs. Nuggets 10,000 times and is leaning Under on the total, projecting 230 combined points. It also says one side of the spread hits almost 60% of the time. You can only see the picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Lakers vs. Nuggets, and which side of the spread hits almost 60% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model on a 51-33 roll on top-rated NBA picks this season, and find out.