Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Lakers odds, picks and predictions

Ryan Dodson | Staff Writer

The Denver Nuggets (35-16) take on the Los Angeles Lakers(27-25) Thursday with tip-off from Crypto.com Arena set for 10 p.m. ET (TNT). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Nuggets vs. Lakers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.

Season series: Nuggets lead 1-0

The Nuggets took care of the Portland Trail Blazers Friday and Sunday by 120-108 and 112-103 scores, failing to cover as 14- and 15-point favorites. G Jamal Murray had 21 points (4-for-6 from 3-point range) and 10 assists Friday, and he has 10 dimes in 2 straight games. The Nuggets defeated the Lakers 119-107 in the season opener in Denver.

The Lakers won 3 in a row to close out a 6-game road trip. The latest was a 124-118 victory against the Charlotte Hornets Monday, failing to cover the 13-point spread. F Anthony Davis went off for 26 points, 15 boards, 11 assists and 3 blocks.

Nuggets at Lakers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:15 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Nuggets -165 (bet $165 to win $100) | Lakers +140 (bet $100 to win $140)
Against the spread (ATS): Nuggets -3.5 (-110) | Lakers +3.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 230.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Nuggets at Lakers key injuries

Nuggets

G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (hamstring) questionable

Lakers

F Anthony Davis (Achilles) questionable
F LeBron James (ankle) questionable
F Cam Reddish (ankle) out
F Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) out
G Gabe Vincent (knee) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

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Nuggets at Lakers and predictions

Prediction

Lakers 114, Nuggets 113

Moneyline

This is more of a pick 'em than the odds suggest. It just depends on what Lakers team comes out of the locker room. With the way AD is playing, I'm willing to take a chance on the value with the home side here. This team beat the Boston Celtics 114-105 Feb. 1 without LeBron or AD, and they haven't lost since.

Take a chance on LAKERS +140.

Against the spread

I don't like either side of the spread here.

I love ANTHONY DAVIS OVER 1.5 BLOCKS (-135), though. He has been a force recently, and this team goes as he goes right now. He has 2+ blocks in 2 straight and in 3 of 4. He had 2 blocks against Denver in the season opener. This one could cash by halftime as he looks to lock down the paint.

Over/Under

This one could go either way, so if you want to stick to the 2 aforementioned wagers, be my guest.

I'm looking at Denver being 2-8 O/U over the last 10. I don't ever want to claim someone is coasting, but it hasn't been as consistent offensively. We're very close to the All-Star break as well.

These teams have cashed 2 Unders in a row against one another, and those were 229.5 and 225.5 totals.

LEAN UNDER 230.5 (-110).

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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