Denver Nuggets vs LA Lakers: Tips, Odds, and Match Preview

We're getting to the business end of the regular season and both Nuggets and Lakers have much to play for. The stacked Western Conference doesn't allow any room for slip-ups, and the upcoming matchup in the Ball arena will give the victor the upper hand.

The Nuggets are in a bit of wobble right now. Having split the bill in two games against OKC, they lost comfortably to the T-Wolves and are hoping to get back the winning ways against their favorite rival in recent years.

However, the Lakers are heading to the Ball Arena after breaking the hoodoo that Jokic and the crew had over them since that 4:0 sweep job in the Western Conference finals. The February 22 win effectively ended the 9-game losing streak thanks to Luka's best game in the yellow and purple at the time, but LeBron might be too big of a miss for a back-to-back game on the road.

MVP to the Rescue

The Nuggets season has been topsy-turvy. The MVP Nikola Jokic is putting up the MVP numbers, but the rest of the team is playing hot and cold. The Russell Westbrook gamble has worked out fine so far and Christian Braum has found form, but the defensive woes continue to plague the Nuggets.

They are currently sitting in third in the WC, level on points with the second-seed Memphis Grizzlies, and have a one-win advantage over their Friday rivals. The Nuggets are 6.5 to win the Western Conference at BC.GAME, which is considerably more favorable than at the start of the season.

They'll be all charged up to put the Lakers back into their place, and I expect a comfortable Denver win.

Nuggets Injury & Team News

Aaron Gordon has missed the Wednesday bout with Minnesota, and remains a doubt for Friday's game against the Lakers. Julian Strawther is out with a knee injury, while DaRon Holmers II is out for the season due to Achilles.

The Luka Effect

The Lakers season counts before and after Luka. Following the shock trade that saw Antony Davis and Luka Doncic swap shirts, the Lakers went on a 12:2 winning run before losing to Boston. Luka was also the reason that ended the losing streak against the Nuggets, having put up 32 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

But the good run of form ended there. The Lakers lost three consecutive games against the Celtics, Nets, and Bucks and lost LeBron to injury. I believe that back-to-back games on the road might prove too much for the thinned LA team to handle.

With LeBron out for the night and a tough schedule ahead, it’s difficult to see the Lakers winning this one.

Lakes Injury & Team News

LeBron James missed the Milwaukee game due to a groin injury suffered against the Celtics and won't feature Denver. Rui Hachimura, Jaxson Hayes, and Maxi Kleber are also out.

Denver Nuggets vs LA Lakers Prediction

Anything but a comfortable Denver win would be a huge surprise for me. The Nuggets may be without Gordon on the night, but LeBron's absence might prove more consequential.

And you have to question what's left in the LA tank for a back-to-back road game. Stake's odds for +11 Nuggets winning margin look tempting at 1.47.

As for players, Nikola Jokic has been putting up some crazy numbers lately. Another triple double, 1.91 at Playbet, sounds probable to me.

CryptoGamba tip: Denver +11 – 1.47 @Stake