Denver Nuggets (39-19) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (31-28)
As the Denver Nuggets prepare to face off against the Los Angeles Lakers this Saturday, fans and bettors alike are gearing up for what promises to be an electrifying match-up. With the Nuggets sitting comfortably with a 39-19 record and the Lakers trailing not too far behind at 31-28, this game is pivotal for both teams as they push towards the playoffs. This mathcup drawing the attention of basketball aficionados and top online betting enthusiasts from across the globe.
The Nuggets come into this contest boasting one of the NBA’s most efficient offenses. They average 114.5 points per game on 49.2% shooting from the field. Nikola Jokic facilitates Denver’s elite attack with his superb passing, evidenced by their 29 assists per game as a team. The Nuggets also boast strong rebounding metrics, pulling down 44.4 boards per contest. However, their defense leaves something to be desired at times, surrendering over 114 points to opponents on average.
The Lakers match up well with Denver on the offensive end, averaging 116.9 points on a slightly higher 49.5% from the field. Los Angeles dominates in the paint behind Anthony Davis, grabbing 42.6 rebounds while swatting 5.6 shots per game. LeBron James also continues to operate the offense masterfully, resulting in 28.5 team assists per outing. Much like the Nuggets though, the Lakers have shown vulnerability on defense. Allowing 113 points per contest, they will need to button up considerably to slow down Denver’s elite attack.
Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game Info
| When: | Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 8:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Crypto.com Arena |
| TV: | ABC |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
Nikola Jokic (C) vs. Anthony Davis (PF)
Nikola Jokic is once again putting up video game numbers, averaging 26.1 points, 12.3 rebounds and 9.3 assists while shooting nearly 60% from the field. The versatile center can score from all three levels and facilitates Denver’s offense masterfully. His court vision and passing ability are unmatched for a big man. The only knock on Jokic is that he can occasionally struggle against more athletic bigs like Davis.
Anthony Davis, when healthy, has looked every bit like the 2020 champion version of himself. Over his last 10 games, he’s averaging 32 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks while shooting over 57% from the field. Davis’ size, length and inside-outside scoring ability make him a matchup nightmare. If he continues this level of production, he could swing the game in LA’s favor.
When these two MVP candidates face off, fireworks tend to ensue. Both Jokic and Davis have the uncanny ability to take over games for long stretches. But with Jokic doing much of Denver’s playmaking and Davis providing better individual defense, they also significantly impact each other. Ultimately, the player who gets going first could ignite their team to victory.
NBA Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The betting odds for this game are currently TBD. Insights and recommendations will be based on team performance and recent trends.
Denver Nuggets Betting Trends
The Nuggets have been solid against the spread recently at 3-2 over their last five games. But they’ve struggled to consistently cover on the road, going just 12-18 away from Denver. Totals have gone over in two of their last five overall but 11 of their last 27 road matchups, implying some scoring inconsistency when traveling.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends
Unlike Denver, the Lakers have posted a losing 2-3 ATS record over their previous five outings. But given they play at one of the fastest paces in the NBA while also ranking 26th in defensive efficiency, totals going over in 11 of their last 30 home tilts makes sense. Their high-powered offense helps explain the lofty over/under against the Nuggets.
Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers 3/2/24 Betting Picks
Expect plenty of fireworks between these Western Conference foes. The Nuggets boast a more well-rounded team but struggle on the road at times while the Lakers’ wealth of talent can challenge any NBA club, especially at home. With the NBA free picks today forecasting a tight clash, back Los Angeles to eke out a narrow win behind a dominant Anthony Davis outing. There’s plenty of value in taking the Lakers.
