NBA Predictions: Are host Nuggets going to be too much for Lakers? 12/3/17

Lakers vs. Nuggets Pick

Can Lonzo Ball and the visiting Los Angeles Lakers hang with the Denver Nuggets tonight at 9PM ET?

According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Nuggets are a 4.5-point favorite on the spread line. The over-under is set at 222 points.

Los Angeles enters with a 8-13 overall record and 10-11 ATS after a 127-123 home loss to the Warriors, its third defeat in a row. Denver is 12-9 and 8-13 ATS following a 111-110 home win over the Bulls. The Lakers won the first meeting this season on their home floor by a score of 127-109 on Nov. 19. The four meetings since the start of last season have gone 2-2 straight up and 2-2 ATS. The over is 4-0.

The Lakers were paced by Brandon Ingram with a career-high 32 points to go with five rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocked shots in the defeat against the Warriors. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 21 points and seven rebounds. Jordan Clarkson added 21 points, eight assists and six rebounds off the bench. Los Angeles was outscored by a margin of 18-14 in the overtime.

Denver lost center Nikola Jokic to a sprained ankle midway throught the win over Chicago. He will miss at least the next few games, a blow to a team already without Paul Millsap. Will Barton scored a career-best 37 points off the bench including the game-winner in the closing seconds. He added three assists, three steals and two rebounds. Gary Harris accounted for 21 points, three rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocked shots. Kenneth Faried added 14 points and 13 boards. The Nuggets outscored the Bulls by a count of 49-42 in the second half.

The Lakers are 5-13 ATS in the last 18 meetings. The over is 19-6-1 in the last 26 meetings.

Bet on Lakers vs. Nuggets

Los Angeles won the first meeting when Denver was healthier and now the hosts are without its two premier interior players. This is a great opportunity for the Lakers to maybe even steal a win on the road, but we'll at least take the points.

NBA DAILY PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES LAKERS +4.5

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