Denver Nuggets (35-16) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (28-25)
February 8, 2024 10:00 pm EDT
The Line: Los Angeles Lakers +3.5; Over/Under: +229.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Denver Nuggets invade the crypto.com Arena to take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. Here’s a Nuggets vs Lakers Prediction.
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets have been in great form as they’ve won seven of their last nine games overall and they will be gunning for a third straight win after beating the Trail Blazers in a 112-103 win on Sunday. Nikola Jokic led the team with 29 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, Jamal Murray added 21 points with 10 assists while Michael Porter Jr and Aaron Gordon chipped in with 12 points each. As a team, the Nuggets shot 48 percent from the field and 12 of 28 from the 3-point line as they got off to a sloppy start and fell into an early 14-point deficit in the first quarter, but they didn’t panic and methodically outpaced the Trail Blazers the rest of the way to win with ease in the end.
Los Angeles Lakers
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers have been on a nice run as they’ve won five of their last seven games overall and they will be aiming for a fourth straight win after sneaking past the lowly Hornets in a 124-118 road win on Monday. D’Angelo Russell led the team with 28 points and six assists, Anthony Davis and LeBron James each scored 26 points while Christian Wood chipped in with 11 points off the bench. As a team, the Lakers shot 56 percent from the field and eight of 34 from the 3-point line as they stormed out of the gates with 74 points in the first half to build a 21-point lead before they survived a late scare when the Hornets cut the margin to just four points late. The Lakers will play against the Pelicans, Pistons, and Jazz after this one.
Los Angeles Lakers Team Facts
- The Lakers have won each of their last seven home games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in 12 of their last 13 games following a road win.
- Eight of the Lakers’ last nine games as home underdogs against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
Denver Nuggets Team Facts
- The Nuggets have won each of their last 18 games as favorites against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games at Crypto.com Arena when playing with a rest advantage.
- Each of the Nuggets’ last eight night games on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total points line.
Nuggets vs Lakers Prediction
The Nuggets could be a little shorthanded here with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope listed as questionable, while the Lakers are keeping eyes on Anthony Davis and LeBron James who are both questionable. The Nuggets have been flying under the radar a bit lately as they’ve won seven of their last nine games and they should be well-rested as they haven’t played since their win over the Trail Blazers on Sunday, while the Lakers are starting to heat up again with five wins in their last seven outings, but they were far from convincing in their narrow win over the slumping Hornets on Monday. Be sure to check the lineups before tipoff, but with an injury cloud currently hanging over the Lakers, I’m happy to take the Nuggets to take care of business in this spot.
