by Rod Pearson
Monday, Jan 19, 2026
Game Time: 10:00 pm ET, Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Where to Watch: NBC, Peacock
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Lakers -1.5, Nuggets +1.5; Over/Under: 228.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Lakers -1.5, Nuggets +1.5; Over/Under: 228.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Lakers -2.5, Nuggets +2.5; Over/Under: 228.5 points
Season Record
Los Angeles Lakers: 25-16 (1st place, Pacific Division)
Denver Nuggets: 29-14 (2nd place, Northwest Division)
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Recent Form
Los Angeles Lakers: 5-5 last 10
Denver Nuggets: 6-4 last 10
Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Preview and Analysis
The Lakers are entering this game with a 25-16 record overall this season and they are 13-8 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Toronto Raptors. Deandre Ayton and Luka Dončić each led the team in points in that game with 25 while LeBron James was next on the team with 24 points. LeBron James and Luka Dončić each led the team in assists in that game with 7 while Deandre Ayton led the team in rebounds with 13. They were 48.2% from the field, 38.9% from 3-point range, and 82.4% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 116.3 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 116.7 PPG against them. The Lakers have an ATS record of 22-19 this season and their O/U record is 25-16.
The Nuggets are entering this game with a 29-14 record overall this season and they are 12-7 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Charlotte Hornets. Jamal Murray led the team in points in that game with 16 while Julian Strawther was next on the team with 15 points. Jalen Pickett led the team in assists in that game with 7 while Spencer Jones led the team in rebounds with 6. They were 40.5% from the field, 21.1% from 3-point range, and 83.3% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 121.7 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 117 PPG against them. The Nuggets have an ATS record of 25-18 this season and their O/U record is 27-16.
Lakers vs Nuggets Prediction
The current betting odds have the Lakers listed as a 1.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Lakers have looked good in their games this season with their 25-16 record overall which has them in the top half of the West. They have been a good road team this season too with their 13-8 road record. Meanwhile, the Nuggets have looked really good in their games this season with their 29-14 record overall which has them right near the top of the West with one of the best records in the entire NBA. They have looked good on their home court too with their 12-7 home record this year. The Nuggets haven't been at their best lately as they have been missing Nikola Jokic for some time, but they have a lot more depth as a team this season and have been able to stay afloat without him playing. They are 6-4 in their last 10 games and still look like one of the best teams in the West without Jokic, but they are off a home loss to the Hornets in their last one and they have still been up and down without Jokic, dropping some bad games. The Lakers have been going through a rough stretch themselves lately and haven't been at their best, going 5-5 in their last 10 games. They are off a big win over the Raptors in their last one though and that win should give them some momentum here. The Lakers haven't been a bad road team this season and they are also healthy right now so they do have the edge in this game. They are going to bring their best effort for a Nuggets team that is ahead of them in the standings too, so look for the Lakers to take advantage of the Nuggets without their best player here. The best way to place a bet here is on the Lakers to cover the spread in this game.
Lakers Nuggets Prediction: Our NBA Pick for Tuesday, January 20, 2026 (10:00 pm ET start time) is Lakers 111 Nuggets 105.
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NBA Betting Trends
Los Angeles Lakers: 4-7 ATS versus good teams - outscoring their opponents by 3+ points/game. 7-14 1H ATS versus good offensive teams - scoring 116+ points/game. 7-2 OVER against Northwest division opponents. 8-3 OVER versus good teams - outscoring their opponents by 3+ points/game.
Denver Nuggets: 6-3 ATS against Pacific division opponents. 12-5 ATS after playing a home game. 13-6 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record. 8-1 OVER against Pacific division opponents. 27-16 OVER in all games.
Key Injuries
Los Angeles Lakers: A. Thiero (SF) Out - Knee. A. Reaves (SG) Out - Calf.
Denver Nuggets: A. Gordon (PF) Day To Day - Hamstring. C. Braun (SG) Day To Day - Ankle. J. Valanciunas (C) Out - Calf. N. Jokic (C) Out - Knee. C. Johnson (PF) Out - Knee. T. Bates (SG) Out - Foot.
Notable Quotes
“This is a very tough time of year for everybody in the NBA right now. There are a number of teams that have rotation players, starter-level players, All-Star-level players like us that are out of the lineup or in and out of the lineup.” - J.J. Redick after his team’s win against the Raptors in their game on Sunday.
"I don’t think it’s anyone in particular. It’s just, we have to have a second person get in there and help. Right now, we’re undermanned physically a little bit on the boards. I just think it’s one of those things where you have to sit down and guard your own guy, because if you don’t, I made this point, our big has to rotate to help, and now you have another really small person trying to crack back... Once you do that, there’s a guard crashing behind that." - David Adelman after his team’s loss against the Hornets in their game on Sunday.
Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Lakers
PG Luka Doncic
SG Marcus Smart
SF Rui Hachimura
PF LeBron James
C Deandre Ayton
Denver Nuggets
PG Jamal Murray
SG Bruce Brown
SF Spencer Jones
PF Peyton Watson
C Aaron Gordon
Statistical Leaders
Los Angeles Lakers
PPG: Luka Doncic (33.3)
APG: Luka Doncic (8.6)
Reb/G: Deandre Ayton (8.8)
Denver Nuggets
PPG: Nikola Jokic (29.6)
APG: Nikola Jokic (11)
Reb/G: Nikola Jokic (12.2)
Coaches:
Los Angeles Lakers: JJ Redick (2nd season)
Denver Nuggets: David Adelman (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.
