Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Lakers odds, picks and predictions

The Denver Nuggets (8-6) and Los Angeles Lakers (10-5) meet Saturday. Tip-off from Crypto.com Arena is at 10:30 p.m. ET (NBA TV). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Nuggets vs. Lakers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: First meeting; Nuggets swept 3-0 in ’23-24 regular season and won 4-1 in first round of playoffs

The Nuggets had a 5-game winning streak Nov. 2-10, but have lost 3 of 4 and are coming off a 123-120 home loss to the Dallas Mavericks as 4.5-point favorites Friday.

The Lakers had a 6-game winning streak snapped Thursday in a 119-118 home loss to the Orlando Magic as 5-point favorites.

Nuggets at Lakers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NBA odds. Lines last updated at 2:20 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Nuggets +150 (bet $100 to win $150) | Lakers -185 (bet $185 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Nuggets +4.5 (-110) | Lakers -4.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 234.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Nuggets at Lakers key injuries

Nuggets

(Not yet submitted — below was for Friday’s game)

F Aaron Gordon (calf) out

Lakers

F Anthony Davis (foot) probable
C Jaxson Hayes (ankle) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

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Nuggets at Lakers picks and predictions

Prediction

Nuggets 122, Lakers 119

Moneyline

The Lakers’ only home loss of the season was Friday night. They are 7-1 at home, while the Nuggets are 3-3 on the road.

The Nuggets are 2-0 this season on no rest, while the Lakers are only 3-2 with a rest advantage.

The Nuggets won 7 of 8 games against the Lakers between the regular season and playoffs last season.

BET NUGGETS (+150).

Against the spread

Neither team is a consistent ATS bet. The Lakers are 7-8 ATS this season and the Nuggets are 5-8-1 ATS. But the Nuggets are 3-1 ATS as underdogs.

Expect a Denver outright win, and with plus odds on the moneyline, betting the spread isn’t needed unless you’re looking to hedge.

PASS.

Over/Under

Five of the Nuggets’ last 8 games have had totals over 234.

Four of the last 5 for the Lakers have gone over 234.

BET OVER 234.5 (-115).

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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