Denver Nuggets (37-19) vs Los Angeles Lakers (33-21)
February 22, 2025 at 08:30 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Denver Nuggets -7.5 — Over/Under: 241
The Los Angeles Lakers travel to the Ball Arena to battle the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night. Here’s a Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Prediction. This article will include a Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Pick.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Lakers have been a team on the rise as they’ve won 11 of their last 14 games overall and they will be eager to stay hot after outlasting the Trail Blazers in a 110-102 road win on Thursday. LeBron James led the team with 40 points, eight rebounds, and four assists on 14 of 24 shooting, Austin Reaves added 32 points with seven assists while Dorian Finney-Smith chipped in with 10 points. As a team, the Lakers shot 47 percent from the field and nine of 32 from the 3-point line, but this win was more about their defense as they kept the Trail Blazers to just 15 points in the first quarter to open an 18-point lead. The Lakers squandered the lead and looked to be in danger in the fourth quarter before they went on a pivotal 8-0 run to escape with the gritty road win.
Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets have been on a tear as they are looking to build on their current nine-game win streak after routing the Hornets in a 129-115 home win on Thursday. Jamal Murray drained seven 3-pointers to lead the team with 34 points on 12 of 18 shooting, Nikola Jokic tallied 29 points with 17 rebounds and nine assists while Aaron Gordon chipped in with 18 points. As a team, the Nuggets shot 50 percent from the field and 19 of 43 from the 3-point line as they stormed out of the gates with 38 points in the first quarter to take the early lead, but they didn’t really have total control of the contest until they dominated the fourth quarter by 30-19 to make it a blowout at home. The Nuggets will play against the Pacers, Bucks, Pistons, Celtics, Kings, and Suns following this one.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Nuggets have won each of their last eight games at Ball Arena.
- The Lakers have lost each of their last eight night games at Ball Arena.
- The favorites have covered the spread in nine of the Nuggets’ last 10 games at Ball Arena.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games against Northwest Division opponents following a win.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Lakers have won each of their last four games as underdogs following a win.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in each of the last five games between the Lakers and Nuggets.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games at Ball Arena against Lakers teams that held a winning record.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of the Lakers’ last eight night games at Ball Arena have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the last five games between the Lakers and Nuggets at Ball Arena has gone UNDER the total points line.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Prediction
The Lakers are still keeping an eye on Luka Doncic who is listed as day-to-day for this one, while the Nuggets are expecting to have a full squad for this meeting. Two of the hottest teams in the Western Conference collide in what should be a great contest and it is the Nuggets who open as big favorites at home. The Lakers are certainly tempting with the points as James and Reaves have been in stellar form, but the Nuggets are simply rolling at the moment and they have won their last eight home games.