Denver Nuggets vs. LA Lakers: Picks, Odds and Player Props

Even a 33-point triple double from Nikola Jokic on his return wasn’t enough to prevent the Denver Nuggets losing to the Dallas Mavericks on Friday and Mike Malone will be looking for an instant reaction from his side in the City of Angels. 

Getting one won’t be easy, however, as the Los Angeles Lakers have made a strong start to the season, especially at home where they have an impressive 7-1 record. 

JJ Reddick has seamlessly slotted into his first professional coaching role and, as a result of the Lakers’ early-season form, the hosts come into this clash with Denver as favorites. 

However, the Nuggets boast an excellent recent record in this fixture, making Saturday’s showdown at the crypto.com Arena an intriguing one. 

Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers betting picks and predictions

Denver Nuggets +4.5 -110

The fact the Lakers come into this clash as favorites is a testament to the excellent job Reddick has done in LA. The Nuggets finished second in the Western Conference last term - they had the same 57-25 record as the top team, the Thunder - while the Purple and Gold only mustered up a 47-35 record down in seventh. 

The Lakers had won six straight games before a one-point loss to the Orlando Magic last time, hence their short odds for this game, but there are a couple of reasons to be skeptical about their favorites tag. 

Firstly, of the teams Los Angeles beat in their six-game winning streak, only the Memphis Grizzlies are ranked in the top eight of their conference. The other wins came against the 76ers, Raptors, Spurs, Pelicans and Jazz, sides who all look set for a miserable season. 

Secondly, the Nuggets have utterly dominated this fixture over the past few seasons. Denver have won 12 of the last 13 head-to-heads, sweeping the Lakers in the 2023 NBA Finals and beating them 4-1 in the playoffs last term during that run. 

Those facts make a five-point lead for the Nuggets seem generous and it could be worth backing Malone’s men to cover in LA. 

Nikola Jokic to have a triple double +100

Denver’s star man showed no signs of rust or distraction on Friday, putting up 33 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists despite spending almost a week away from basketball due to a family-related emergency. 

That just goes to show how elite the MVP front-runner’s mindset is and history suggests he could repeat that feat of a triple double against the Lakers. 

Jokic managed two in the Nuggets' five playoff games against Los Angeles last season and he was one assist from a triple double on two occasions in that series too. 

Given the Serbian is averaging a triple double for the season, putting up mean figures of 30 points, 14 rebounds and 11.5 assists per game this term, it could be worth siding with Jokic to land his second one in two days at a generous odds-against price. 

Anthony Davis is a doubt for the Lakers while Jarred Vanderbilt and Jaxson Hayes are certain absentees, meaning the hosts are a bit light in options to limit Jokic’s influence at the crypto.com Arena, making the Serbian an even more appealing selection than he already was. 

Peyton Watson over 10.5 points @ +100

Finding a replacement for the injured Aaron Gordon could have been a major issue for the Nuggets, but luckily for Malone and his side Peyton Watson has deputized excellently in his absence. 

In the seven games since Gordon’s injury, Watson has only scored less than 15 points on two occasions. The young forward scored an impressive 15 against the Mavericks on Friday and could be set for another big night. 

Watson made just one of his first 10 three-pointers of the season but, since the games against the Raptors in which Gordon was injured, he has knocked down 50 percent of his 24 efforts from beyond the arc. 

His confidence is clearly growing and 10.5 looks an extremely achievable line at a nice price.

Read more betting picks and predictions for the NBA on site.

Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers odds

Denver Nuggets	+150
Los Angeles Lakers	-180
Spread	Lakers -4.5
Total Points	230.5

Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers player props

Player Points

Anthony Davis	Over 27.5 -120
Nikola Jokic	Over 26.5 -135
LeBron James	Over 24.5 -115
Jamal Murray	Over 20.5 -125
Michael Porter Jr	Over 17.5 -120
Austin Reaves	Over 16.5 -110

Read the latest NBA news on site.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.