The Lakers are the top team in the Western Conference while the Nuggets are fighting for the second spot. The Lakers have won six of the last ten against Denver but they are just 4-5-1 against the basketball betting odds. Basketball bet odds are very close on this game. The one advantage for the Lakers is that the Nuggets had to play last night in Oklahoma City. The Lakers are rested and that could be a factor late in this game. Denver has won two of the three games against the Lakers this season. They split in Los Angeles and won the game in Denver. Even though the Lakers and Nuggets are high scoring teams, six of the last nine meetings between the two teams have gone under the total. In Denver, the Lakers are 4-6 in their last 10 games. Kobe Bryant is averaging 25.4 points per game in his career against Denver.
The Lakers have not been a good team this season to take when making a basketball bet. Normally when the Lakers are on the road they can have little value but not this year. The Lakers are 16-21-1 on the road this season vs. the point spread. Los Angeles has not played that well in recent weeks. They seem to be looking to the playoffs and their focus has simply not been very good. This game against Denver should get their attention though since the Nuggets are one of the few teams capable of beating the Lakers. Los Angeles has seen their numbers drop on offense and defense in recent weeks but they are still in the Top 10 in points scored and fewest points against.
Denver has not been that good this season vs. the basketball betting odds. Making a basketball bet on Denver in the past was usually successful when they were at home but this season the Nuggets are 18-19-1 vs. the point spread in home games. Denver wins almost every time at home but they don’t always cover the spread for those making a basketball bet. In this game against the Lakers that probably won’t matter since if they win the game they will probably cover the short number. Denver has the third best offense in the league but they still struggle on defense as they rank 20th in the league.