The Denver Nuggets (17-10) take on the Los Angeles Lakers (11-16) Friday with tip-off at Crypto.com Arena at 10 p.m. ET (ESPN).
The Nuggets have won 3 straight games and are coming off a 141-128 home win over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, covering the 11-point spread as favorites. It snapped a streak of 5 games failing to cover the spread.
The Lakers have dropped 4 of their last 5 games and are coming off a 122-118 overtime loss at home against the Boston Celtics. The game ended as a push with the 4-point spread.
- Moneyline (ML): Nuggets -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Lakers +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Nuggets -1.5 (-105) | Lakers +1.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 237.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Nuggets at Lakers key injuries
Nuggets
- G Collin Gillespie (leg) out
- F Michael Porter Jr. (heel) out
Lakers
- F Anthony Davis (back) probable
- F Wenyen Gabriel (shoulder) out
- F LeBron James (ankle) probable
- F Juan Toscano-Anderson (ankle) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Nuggets at Lakers picks and predictions
Prediction
Nuggets 122, Lakers 118
Moneyline
The Lakers and Nuggets have split their first 2 meetings this season, each winning on their home court.
The Nuggets are 9-7 on the road this season. The Lakers are 6-7 at home and after winning 3 straight at home have lost 2 of their last 3 there.
The Lakers defense is 25th in the league, allowing 116.6 points per game, while the Nuggets are No. 7 in scoring at 116.0 points per game.
The moneyline and the spread are almost the same bet, so either wager is good BET NUGGETS (-120).
Over/Under
Seven of the last 8 games for the Lakers have had totals of more than 236 points. The highest total of the 2 meetings between the 2 teams this season is 231. Only 2 of the last 7 for the Nuggets have had at least 237 points.
BET OVER 237.5 (-110).