On Tuesday, the Denver Nuggets will defend their NBA title against the Los Angeles Lakers on NBA Opening Night. The Lakers’ season ended after they were swept by Denver in the Western Conference Finals (43-39 in 2022-23) and earned the seventh seed in the West.
The Nuggets (53-29), who made their first NBA Finals appearance in 2018, are aiming to make the playoffs for the sixth year in a row this season. Eight of the last 14 regular season matchups between Los Angeles and Denver have been won by Los Angeles.
The ball drops at 7:30 p.m. ET from Ball Arena in Denver. Last season, the Lakers scored 117.2 ppg while the Nuggets scored 115.8 ppg on average. The most recent odds for this Lakers vs. Nuggets matchup have Denver as a 5-point favorite, with a total points scored over/under of 228.5. Check out SportsLine’s tried and true computer model’s NBA picks and betting tips for the Nuggets vs. Lakers before you make any selections.
Previous Five NBA Seasons
Over the previous five NBA seasons, the SportsLine Projection Model’s top-rated NBA picks have generated well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players using the model’s simulations of each game. At the end of the 2022–23 NBA season, the model had a winning record of 72–39 on all AAA NBA picks, for a total profit of over $2,800. Those who have followed it have earned substantial profits.
The model has now zeroed in on the Lakers and Nuggets and is ready to make its NBA picks and forecasts. Visit SportsLine right now to see the computer’s predictions. Check out the latest Nuggets vs. Lakers betting odds and lines below!
Odds for the Lakers vs. the Nuggets: Granules -5
The total points scored in Lakers vs. Nuggets is 228.5.
Bets on the Lakers and the Nuggets: Betting: Lakers +166, Nuggets -199
50 of LAL’s previous 87 games vs. the money line (+18.85 units)
Have reached the tally for the fourth quarter. DEN Recent games feature under in 67 of their last 98 (+32.01 units)
Check out SportsLine’s predictions for the Lakers vs. the Nuggets.
The reason the Nuggets can go over
Last season, Michael Porter Jr. performed admirably at the small forward position, averaging 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and one assist. He had 16 points and 13 boards in the deciding Game 5 of the NBA Finals a year ago, a 94-89 victory that gave the Nuggets the championship. In the Western Conference Finals sweep over the Lakers, he had three double-doubles, including this one.
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Averaging 16.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and three assists per game in 68 starts for Denver in 2022-23 was power forward Aaron Gordon. He averaged 12.5 points and seven boards in four regular season games last year versus the Lakers. He has averaged 12.3 points and 6.6 boards in 17 career games versus the Lakers. In 23 minutes of action against the Bulls on October 15, he scored 13 points, a preseason high for him. Visit SportsLine to find the team worth betting on.
Reasons to bet on the Lakers
Nevertheless, the Lakers vs. Nuggets spread isn’t a sure thing for Denver to cover. That’s because 20-year NBA veteran LeBron James is at the helm of the Lakers. Averaging 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game in 2022-2023, the 6’9″ small forward made 54 of 55 starts. In the Western Conference Finals, he scored at least 22 points in every game and had four double-doubles while leading his team to victory over the Nuggets. He almost had a triple-double in Game 4 despite losing, scoring 40 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and dishing out nine assists.
Anthony Davis, a power forward, is a key contributor for the Lakers. He averaged 25.9 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 steals in 56 games (54 starts). In the Western Conference Finals versus Denver, he had four double-doubles as well. He had a double-double in the first game, with 40 points and 10 boards. Davis averaged 18.3 points and 11.1 rebounds in three regular season games last year against the Nuggets. Visit SportsLine to find the team worth betting on.
Tips for picking the Nuggets and Lakers
SportsLine’s model favors the Over, predicting a total of 231 points between the two teams. The model also indicates that more than half of the time, one side of the spread will be profitable. Visit SportsLine to view the model’s predictions.
Who will win tonight’s Lakers vs. Nuggets game, and which side of the spread will be successful in more than half of hypothetical situations? Check out SportsLine right now to see which side of the spread you should bet on based on the model’s current 72-39 winning streak with their top-rated NBA selection.
