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Nuggets vs. Lakers Prediction and Odds (Nuggets To Crush Lakers' Playoff Dreams)

By Joe Summers

LeBron and the Lakers are in danger of missing the postseason as they host the Nuggets today
LeBron and the Lakers are in danger of missing the postseason as they host the Nuggets today / Kevork Djansezian/GettyImages
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The 31-46 Los Angeles Lakers find themselves on the brink of elimination from postseason contention as they take on the 46-32 Denver Nuggets today at 3:30 PM EST.

After losing to the Pelicans on Friday, the Lakers have now lost five straight and sit one game behind the Spurs for the final spot in the Play-In Tournament. With only five games to play, their chances to make the playoffs look dim.

Denver, meanwhile, lost 136-130 to Minnesota their last time out to snap a three-game winning streak. The Nuggets currently sit in the 6th seed in the Western Conference but are in good position to leapfrog the Jazz for the 5th seed if they can get a win today.

Will Los Angeles keep their postseason dreams alive, or will MVP-favorite Nikola Jokic and Denver be too much to handle?

Since originally writing this article, LeBron James has been ruled out with an ankle injury.

Here are the odds from WynnBET as we search for value in this Nuggets vs Lakers matchup:


Nuggets vs Lakers Odds, Spread and Total

Spread

  • Nuggets -2.5 (-110)
  • Lakers +2.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Nuggets: -150
  • Lakers: +125

Total:

  • 230.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Nuggets vs Lakers Prediction and Pick

I know the Lakers' backs are against the wall and they've got both LeBron James and Anthony Davis back, but this line is way too small.

Los Angeles has been overvalued all season. They've covered the spread just once in their last four games, all of which were also supposedly "must-win", and rank 27th league-wide in net rating over their last 15.

Their defense has been the issue, as they've given up at least 120 points in six of eight contests. That's bad news against a Nuggets offense that's sixth in offensive rating on the season. Nikola Jokic has been a machine and is the rightful MVP favorite.

When these teams played in January, Denver cruised to a 133-96 victory and I see a similar game unfolding. Los Angeles just has no answer for Jokic and this line should be much larger.

The Nuggets have been sensational on the road of late too, winning eight of their last nine and covering the spread in 12 of their previous 16.

In one corner we have a collapsing team that's been poor all year. In the other corner we have a good team that's been dominant on the road. I'll ignore the name value propping the Lakers up and roll with Denver in an easy win.

Pick: Nuggets -2.5 (-110)

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.

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