Nuggets vs. Lakers Picks, Predictions: L.A. Searching for 1st Win of Season
The Denver Nuggets are visiting the winless Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night, four days after beating them in Denver. Here are our Nuggets-Lakers picks.
The LeBron James-led Los Angeles Lakers are officially the last winless team in the NBA and will be looking to end their five-game losing streak to start the season at home.
They are struggling mightily from behind the arc, shooting an NBA-worst 23.7% from three so far this season. They are trying new things, moving Russell Westbrook out of the starting lineup in their last game, but haven’t been able to build any momentum so far this season. Lakers forward Anthony Davis is also questionable with a back injury after missing out on Friday’s game.
On the other hand, the Denver Nuggets are 4-2 to start the season and are looking to build on their two-game winning streak. They have won three of their last four games against the Lakers, including a comfortable 110-99 victory on Wednesday night. Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic is in top form to start the season, nearly averaging a triple-double with a 31.86 player efficiency rating. The Nuggets are also scoring by committee, with seven players averaging 10 or more points so far.
Will the Lakers finally be able to grab their first victory, or will the visiting Nuggets prove to be too much?
Here are our Nuggets-Lakers NBA picks for Sunday (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Nuggets vs. Lakers Game Info
Date: Sunday, Oct. 30, 9:30 p.m. ET
TV: Spectrum Sportsnet
Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Nuggets vs. Lakers Odds
Nuggets vs. Lakers Odds Analysis
The top books have been in consensus on the spread heading into this one, opening at -3.5 for the Nuggets and staying that way on Sunday morning. Roughly 52% of bettors are favoring the Nuggets so far.
The Over/Under opened at 220.5 and has jumped up all the way to 228.5 at some sportsbooks and bottomed out at 227.5 as of right now. Currently, 67% of wagers are favoring the Over.
Nuggets vs. Lakers Picks
- ATS: Nuggets -3.5 (-110 via DraftKings)
- Over/Under: Under 228.5 (-110 via DraftKings)
- Prop: Nikola Jokic to Record a Triple Double (+240 via FanDuel)
Nuggets vs. Lakers ATS Pick
Nuggets -3.5 (-110) ★★★★★
The Lakers are currently the worst team in the NBA, which is a first for a James team. While the Nuggets are favored as the away team, I don’t think the spread accurately conveys the distance between these teams right now.
The Nuggets are 3-1 against the Lakers since the start of last season, with their one loss coming in an overtime game in April. They are 4-2 against the spread so far this year, while the Lakers are 0-5. Until the Lakers show some life or the spread reflects how poor they are playing, it will be hard to take them against any of the top teams in the NBA.
Nuggets vs. Lakers O/U Pick
Under 228.5 (-110) ★★★★
The O/U has jumped eight points since it opened on some sportsbooks and is looking inflated at 228.5. To be fair, this is likely reflecting the three high-scoring contests that the teams played in last season. Alas, it is a new season, and to this point, the numbers don’t support this high of a total.
Neither team has been an offensive juggernaut to this point, both in the bottom half of the league in points per game at 114.8 (Nuggets, 16th) and 102.2 (Lakers, 30th). For as bad as the Lakers have been offensively, they have actually played pretty good defence so far this season, with the third-best defensive efficiency. The Lakers haven’t hit the 110 mark in a game yet this season, and if they continue their offensive struggles, it might be hard for the Nuggets to carry the slack on the O/U in this one.
Nuggets vs. Lakers Prop Pick
Jokic to record a triple double (+240) ★★★
It’s a bit of a risk, but there may be good value in betting on Jokic recording a triple-double. He is currently averaging a career-high 8.8 assists per game this season and nearly accomplished the feat against the Lakers on Wednesday, barely missing out with 31 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists.
He has already recorded a triple-double in two of his six games so far this season and is a threat to do so every time he steps on the hardwood. At +240, I think you’re getting fair value, especially if his would-be matchup Davis is unable to play.
Where to Bet on Nuggets vs. Lakers Picks
Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:
Nuggets-Lakers picks made 10/30/2022 at 11:09 a.m. ET
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