by Rod Pearson
Tuesday, Mar 18, 2025
Game Time: 10:00 pm ET, Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Where to Watch: ESPN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Nuggets +2, Lakers -2; Over/Under: 231.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Nuggets +2, Lakers -2; Over/Under: 231.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Nuggets +2, Lakers -2; Over/Under: 231.5 points
Season Record
Denver Nuggets: 44-25 (2nd place, Northwest Division)
Los Angeles Lakers: 42-25 (1st place, Pacific Division)
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Recent Form
Denver Nuggets: 6-4 last 10
Los Angeles Lakers: 6-4 last 10
Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers Preview and Analysis
The Nuggets are entering this game with a 44-25 record overall this season and they are 21-14 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Golden State Warriors. Aaron Gordon led the team in points in that game with 38 while Michael Porter Jr. was next on the team with 21 points. Russell Westbrook led the team in assists in that game with 16 while Russell Westbrook led the team in rebounds with 12. They were 46.7% from the field, 35.9% from 3-point range, and 77.8% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 121.1 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 116.7 PPG against them. The Nuggets have an ATS record of 33-35-1 this season and their O/U record is 40-29.
The Lakers are entering this game with a 42-25 record overall this season and they are 27-7 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 Phoenix Suns and the San Antonio Spurs. Austin Reaves led the team in points in that game with 30 while Luka Dončić was next on the team with 21 points. Luka Dončić led the team in assists in that game with 14 while Jaxson Hayes led the team in rebounds with 11. They were 48.9% from the field, 39.6% from 3-point range, and 75% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 113 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 111.4 PPG against them. The Lakers have an ATS record of 38-28-1 this season and their O/U record is 32-35.
Nuggets vs Lakers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Nuggets listed as a 2 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Nuggets have looked really good in their games this season with their 44-25 record overall which has them right near the top of the West and in a playoff spot. They have been a good road team too with their 21-14 road record this season. Meanwhile, the Lakers have looked really good in their games this season with their 42-25 record overall which has them in the top half of the West and in a playoff spot. They have looked great on their home court too with their 27-7 home record this season. The Lakers have been really hot lately, but now they are starting to cool off and are only 6-4 in their last 10 games. They are coming off a win over the Spurs and have won 2 games in a row now, but they have also been dealing with some key injuries keeping players like LeBron James out of the lineup. The Nuggets haven't looked any better lately as they are also 6-4 in their last 10 games and coming off a win in their last one, but they just beat the Warriors on the road without Jokic or Murray in the lineup. Those two will likely be back for this game and they can take advantage of a banged up Lakers team that has been cooling off lately. The Lakers also beat the Nuggets in Denver a few weeks ago and even though they got their revenge at home last week, they only beat the Lakers by 5 points in a game that the Lakers didn't have LeBron or Doncic in. The Nuggets are going to bring their best effort for the Lakers in this game and this game will have big implications on the final seeding in the West. 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 Wednesday, March 19, 2025 (10:00 pm ET start time) is Nuggets 126 Lakers 121.
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NBA Betting Trends
Denver Nuggets: 18-24 ATS when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 70%). 2-6 ATS on the road off an upset win as an underdog. 40-25 UNDER against Pacific division opponents. 26-16 UNDER when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 70%).
Los Angeles Lakers: 74-46 ATS after playing a home game. 32-23 ATS when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 70%). 23-17 ATS versus good rebounding teams - outrebounding opponents by 3+ per game. 32-24 UNDER when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 70%).
Key Injuries
Denver Nuggets: N. Jokić (C) Day To Day - Elbow. C. Braun (SG) Day To Day - Foot. J. Murray (PG) Day To Day - Ankle. J. Strawther (SG) Out - Knee. D. Holmes (PF) Out For Season - Achilles.
Los Angeles Lakers: T. Jemison III Day To Day - Illness. R. Hachimura (PF) Day To Day - Knee. L. James (SF) Out - Leg. M. Kleber (PF) Out - Foot.
Notable Quotes
“I thought it was tremendous. To hold him to 6-of-21 and 4-of 14 from the three. We all know that he’s the greatest shooter to ever play this game and whenever you’re going to play the Golden State Warriors, it starts with, how do you stop Steph Curry? And our guys did a really good job of following through in being disciplined with the game plan. It went in our favor tonight." - Michael Malone after his team’s win against the Warriors in their game on Monday.
"I mean this guy just scored 30 in his fourth game in five days. That explains everything. He's an amazing player. For him to go undrafted is—unbelievable. It's not easy to go undrafted and then play at this level. It's amazing just to be by his side." - Luka Doncic on Austin Reaves after their win against the Spurs in their game on Monday.
Starting Lineups
Denver Nuggets
PG Jamal Murray
SG Christian Braun
SF Michael Porter Jr.
PF Aaron Gordon
C Nikola Jokic
Los Angeles Lakers
PG Luka Doncic
SG Austin Reaves
SF Jordan Goodwin
PF Jarred Vanderbilt
C Jaxson Hayes
Statistical Leaders
Denver Nuggets
PPG: N. Jokić (29.1)
APG: N. Jokić (10.3)
Reb/G: N. Jokić (12.8)
Los Angeles Lakers
PPG: L. Dončić (27.4)
APG: L. James (8.5)
Reb/G: L. Dončić (8.5)
Coaches:
Denver Nuggets: Michael Malone (10th season)
Los Angeles Lakers: JJ Redick (1st 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.
