NBA Picks and Betting Tips: Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Prediction, 24th November
NLB Staff
23.11.2024 00:21
Lakers vs Nuggets Prediction
As the Lakers continue having a very promising start to this early season, they play a Denver Nuggets squad that has lately found their momentum. With Los Angeles having come off a tough 119-118 loss to Orlando last game, Denver has been on a streak of 7 wins over 10 games. This matchup will occur on November 24th at 9:00 A.M. IST in Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Underneath are our key betting tips, top player props, vital injuries, and key head-to-head trends heading into this matchup.
Lakers vs Nuggets Key Betting Tips & Predictions
1. Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Moneyline Pick
With the moneyline being at -168 for the Lakers, it should be taken as they are favored to win having a mostly healthy roster. As Austin Reaves and Cam Reddish complement each other’s game wonderfully in the backcourt, they should limit both Jamal Murray plus Christian Braun’s ability to finish with ease. Having Dalton Knecht being a slight defensive advantage against an offensive-minded player like Miachel Porter Jr. and also fitting J.J. Reddick’s mold of rebounding, he should the boards' number close. Seeing that Anthony Davis and Lebron James create a huge mismatch against Dario Saric plus Peyton Watson up front in every phase of this game, Los Angeles should win their -168 money line and create a new streak vs Denver.
2. Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Point Spread Pick
Seeing that this Los Angeles squad has a -3.5 spread during this matchup, it looks like a great pick due to their available pieces giving them a huge edge. As Austin Reaves continues being a great two-way guard, he will have a high-intensity battle with Jamal Murray on the other end. Seeing that this Lakers guard can knock down shots and use great ball-handling to get inside, he should beat a tough defender like Murray in this matchup. Even though Murray provides an elite level of offense too, the key here is that Reaves's ability to reach in plus force him toward the side won’t allow him to get all his usual looks. With the Nuggets' shooting guard Christian Braun trying to continue building his game beyond the arc and outside, his matchup against Cam Reddish won’t allow him for that. As Reddish continues being a lockdown defender, he should help close the gap in this shooting guard head-to-head, while Dalton Knecht takes over the reins at small forward. Even though many say that he is more of a traditional shooting guard, J.J. Reddick loves playing him at small forward due to his ability to get boards and use size to create blocks. With him going up against Miachel Porter Jr., the Nuggets guard will score from deep like Knecht, but Los Angeles will prove to be a more consistent defender that can limit opportunities in this game. With Lebron James starting at power forward, he should have a huge game against Peyton Watson by finishing inside or near the perimeter and easily winning both the assist plus rebounding battle. As Anthony Davis continues being a top-board getter and layup finisher, his ability to also hit the mid-range game will allow a huge mismatch against Dario Saric. Knowing this, Los Angeles’s -3.5 spread should be taken.
3. Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Over/Under Pick (Total Points)
With the over/under in this game being 217.5 points, both teams possess very good offensive systems that should help them provide points. As Denver has one of the best dribblers in the league who can drive in or knock down long-distance shots, their shooting guard continues developing as a top-level perimeter scorer. Having a small forward who can use strength and power to also have opportunities near the basket or on the wings, their center has been a solid piece that gets boards plus puts their backup. Having one of the most athletic backup point guards, they play a Lakers roster that is led by their all-around point guard once again. With them also having a small forward that can create inside or outside, their power forward continues to be one of the best passers and close-range shooters in the game. Even though he can knock down threes, the Lakers don’t need it with their top bench piece being a pretty solid one. Having a center playing at MVP form offensively, this score should go somewhere around their 238 combined points from last time out.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Top Player Props
Anthony Davis over 26.5 points at 1.87: As the Lakers center continues to be one of the most dominant forces inside, his ability to dunk and put shots up after rebounds is key. Going up against Dario Saric, the superstar Anthony Davis should have a sizeable advantage while also knocking down great looks from mid-range or near the perimeter. Seeing that he averages 31.3 points a night, Davis should hit the over on this line.
Christian Braun under 13.5 points at 2.00: Although this Nuggets shooting guard has been a very solid scorer from three and deeper areas, he has seemed to struggle against tougher defenders at times. Going up against Cam Reddish who is bigger than Christian Braun, the Lakers' shooting guards' defensive abilities will limit this young piece's game from outside. Even though Christian Braun averages 16.1 points a night, this will be one rare off night for the 2nd-year player.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Injury News & Impact
Los Angeles Lakers Injuries: As this group still has Jared Vanderbilt out, a knee injury, they will not have their top defensive forward along with Rui Hachimura, 6.1 rebounds, an ankle problem, as their top board crasher. Seeing that Jaxson Hayes, 4.6 rebounds, is missing due to an injury on his ankle as well, so will Jalen Hood-Schinfino, causing the Lakers to lose some vital depth pieces.
Denver Nuggets Injuries: With Nikola Jokic, 29.7 points and 13.7 rebounds, ruled out for personal reasons again, this group will have to run with Dario Saric at center as a less-efficient outside scorer who doesn’t have great passing tools either. As Aaron Gordon, 15.4 points and 6.7 rebounds, has been out with a right calf strain, Peyton Watson will start at the power forward position as a much smaller option who is a lower volume rebounder.
Lakers vs Nuggets Head-to-Head Trends
Although Denver has owned this season's series for the most part by winning four straight games, the current circumstances will help Los Angeles finally break this. As Denver has suffered some very key injuries this season, this Lakers squad should be able to take advantage of offense and score over 100 points for their 7th straight game. Seeing that this Lakers squad is 2-4 against the spread vs Denver in 6 previous matchups, they should improve on that record while also growing their 110 points per game average from 2 past head-to-heads.
Betting Insights & Public Trends
Looking at the current public trends, this Los Angeles Lakers squad is backed by 62.7% of bettors to beat Denver.
Lakers vs Nuggets Final Prediction
As this matchup has been dominated by Denver for the most part due to their ability to not be stopped by Los Angeles from anywhere, this game will be a bit different with no Nikola Jokic or Aaron Gordon in the lineup for this Nuggets squad. With Los Angeles getting better under J.J. Reddick and showing more of an urge this season, Austin Reaves will continue leading the point for them. As one of the more athletic guards that can usually ball-handling to get inside, his deep range has been pretty unbelievable this season. Going up against Jamal Murray, this should be a tightly contested matchup with both of them being elite passers plus finishers, but Reaves has a slight advantage on defense. Someone who keeps making stops for Los Angeles at the biggest times in-game, his greatness as a stealer and height advantage in this game should lead to a better statistical output. Seeing that Jamal Murray may have a tough time going side to side with Reaves length to cover, he may have to start passing it to other shooters covered at three-point lines. With this Nuggets squad having a young shooting guard in Christian Braun who has slowly become more lethal from deep game after game, this will be a very tough matchup for him due to Cam Reddish’s elite defense. As Reddish continues getting the starting nod from J.J. Reddick for his aggressiveness, Braun should slightly have a scoring advantage on him but Cam will have all the defensive plus rebounding advantages.
With Dalton Knecht once again getting his start against Miachel Porter Jr., they both have very similar types of games that involve three-point shooting plus wing defense. But, the major factor here is Knecht is slightly more likely to do well due to his consistency this season and newfound inside scoring. As someone who is lengthy, he will not let Miachel Porter Jr. inside to do the same on the other end and has seemed to be a more efficient blocker than the Nuggets small forward this season too. Even though MPJ will win the rebounding battle, Los Angeles has enough bigs in the frontcourt to fix this slight issue. With Lebron James getting a huge mismatch against Peyton Watson, he should be able to dominate in every facet of the game from passing to having a very productive shooting night. Although James hasn’t been a similar defender this season, his size advantage should Watson into some really bad looks. With Anthony Davis as a much stronger finisher and rebounder inside against Dario Saric, Los Angeles continues using Max Christie as a hustle piece off the bench. But, if Russell Westbrook can provide a triple-double type performance, this Nuggets squad could win the matchup.
Our prediction: Los Angeles Lakers win this game and cover -3.5 spread, while score goes over 217.5 points.
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