by Rod Pearson
Friday, Mar 01, 2024
Game Time: 8:30 pm ET, Saturday, March 2, 2024
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Where to Watch: ABC
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Nuggets -1, Lakers +1; Over/Under: 231.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Nuggets -1, Lakers +1; Over/Under: 231.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Nuggets -1, Lakers +1; Over/Under: 231.5 points
Season Record
Denver Nuggets: 41-19 (3rd place, Northwest Division)
Los Angeles Lakers: 33-28 (4th place, Pacific Division)
Do not miss out on our expert handicapper analysis! Sean Murphy is on a HOT STREAK in the NBA on a 46-28-1 NBA RUN for +$15,070 PROFIT! Make sure you check out his picks and many more from the expert handicappers featured in the Shop Picks section.
Recent Form
Denver Nuggets: 7-3 last 10
Los Angeles Lakers: 7-3 last 10
Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers Preview and Analysis
The Nuggets are entering this game with a 41-19 record overall and they are 17-14 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 5 game winning streak with wins coming against the Washington Wizards, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Golden State Warriors, the Sacramento Kings, and the Miami Heat in their last game. Michael Porter Jr. led the team in points in that game with 30 while Nikola Jokić and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope each were next on the team with 18 points. Nikola Jokić led the team in assists in that game with 7 while Nikola Jokić and Michael Porter Jr. each led the team in rebounds with 11. They were 42.9% from the field, 35.3% from 3-point range, and 90.5% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 114.4 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 110.2 PPG against them. The Nuggets have an ATS record of 26-32-2 this season and their O/U record is 22-38.
The Lakers are entering this game with a 33-28 record overall and they are 21-9 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 2 game winning streak with wins coming against the Los Angeles Clippers and the Washington Wizards in their last game. Anthony Davis led the team in points in that game with 40 while LeBron James was next on the team with 31 points. LeBron James led the team in assists in that game with 9 while Anthony Davis led the team in rebounds with 15. They were 52.5% from the field, 34.8% from 3-point range, and 83.3% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 117.2 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 117.6 PPG against them. The Lakers have an ATS record of 28-34 this season and their O/U record is 32-29-1.
Nuggets vs Lakers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Nuggets listed as a 1 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Nuggets have looked really good in their games this season with their 41-19 record overall which has them right near the top of the West with one of the best records in the entire NBA right now. They haven't been at their best in their road games but they have still been a good road team with their 17-14 road record. Meanwhile, the Lakers have also looked good in their games this season with their 33-28 record overall which has them surging up the standings in the West, now in a play-in spot for the playoffs. They have also looked a lot better on their home court this year with their 21-9 home record. They have been getting hot in their games lately with their 7-3 record in their last 10 games, trying to surge up the standings in the West as much as they can so they can get in a true playoff spot, but the Nuggets have also been getting hot now after a run of mediocre play. Just like the Lakers, the Nuggets are 7-3 in their last 10 games but they also have a lot more momentum on their side coming into this with 5 wins in a row now. The Lakers have been a great home team all season but the defending champions are finally starting to get hot again and the Lakers don't have the team that is going to stop them on this run. The best way to place a bet here is on the Nuggets to cover the spread in this game.
Nuggets Lakers Prediction: Our NBA Pick for Saturday, March 2, 2024 (8:30 pm ET start time) is Nuggets 120 Lakers 112.
Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this Denver Nuggets Los Angeles Lakers prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NBA predictions and previews.
NBA Betting Trends
Denver Nuggets: 0-6 ATS after successfully covering the spread in 4 or more consecutive games. 16-24 ATS after allowing 100 points or less. 25-15 UNDER after 1 or more consecutive wins. 9-4 UNDER after playing 2 consecutive home games. 15-8 UNDER off a home win.
Los Angeles Lakers: 8-5 ATS against Northwest division opponents. 6-3 ATS after allowing 130 points or more. 11-5 UNDER revenging a same season loss vs opponent. 7-2 UNDER after a combined score of 225 points or more.
Key Injuries
Denver Nuggets: B. Key (SF) Ques Sat - Personal. J. Murray (SG) Ques Sat - Ankle. V. Cancar (SF) Out indefinitely - Knee.
Los Angeles Lakers: G. Vincent (SG) Mid March - Knee. J. Vanderbilt (SF) Mid March - Foot. C. Reddish (SF) Ques Sat - Ankle. C. Castleton (C) Out indefinitely - Wrist. C. Wood (PF) Mid March - Knee.
Notable Quotes
“It’s great for him to realize being cautious right now is probably the really prudent decision." - Michael Malone after his team’s win against the Heat in their game on Thursday.
“We had to get some stops, and we had to execute offensively. Not turn the ball over. It’s a tough league, and after last night’s victory, we had to come in against a young, scrappy team that’s not playing for much, just playing hard, a lot of speed, a lot of youth, and obviously it took us 53 minutes to get the job done.” - LeBron James after their win against the Wizards in their game on Thursday.
Starting Lineups
Denver Nuggets
PG Jamal Murray
SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
SF Michael Porter Jr.
PF Aaron Gordon
C Nikola Jokic
Los Angeles Lakers
PG D'Angelo Russell
SG Austin Reaves
SF LeBron James
PF Rui Hachimura
C Anthony Davis
Statistical Leaders
Denver Nuggets
PPG: N. Jokic (25.8)
APG: N. Jokic (9.3)
Reb/G: N. Jokic (12.3)
Los Angeles Lakers
PPG: L. James (25.3)
APG: L. James (7.9)
Reb/G: A. Davis (12.3)
Coaches:
Denver Nuggets: Michael Malone (9th season)
Los Angeles Lakers: Darvin Ham (2nd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
