NBA Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers Preview and Prediction

Date/Time: 10-25-2018, 22:30 EDT

Spread: Los Angeles Lakers +3.5

Total: +240

Two Western Conference teams with playoff hopes for the season but only one faring good so far are clashing, when one of the four perfect teams in the NBA so far and leaders of the West Denver Nuggets, are visiting the Los Angeles Lakers, who have not yet found their footing with LeBron James on the wheel.

The Nuggets are 4-0 so far in the league and are sitting on top of the West and in the second place of the NBA. They have won their last four games and in their latest matchup they were victorious against Sacramento at home,126-112. The Lakers are 1-3 so far in the league and are tied with 2 more squads in the second to last place of the Western Conference. In their latest matchup they ended a 3-game losing skid with a road victory against Phoenix, 131-113.

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Denver are led in scoring by Nikola Jokic with 23.2 ppg. He also leads the team both in rebounding with 10.5 and in assists made with 7 per game. Gary Harris follows with 21 ppg, adding 3.5 rebounds and 3 assists per game. LA are led in scoring by LeBron James with 25.2 ppg. He also adds 8.8 assists and leading the team in rebounding with 8 per game, while Kyle Kuzma follows with 20 ppg, adding 4.8 rebounds per game. Josh Hart adds 16.5 ppg and 5.2 rebounds per game. 

Those two squads met 4 times last year and were tied 2-2 wins, with each one winning at home. Lakers won at home with a 112-103 score and 127-109. LA are 0-2 at home so far, while Denver are 1-0 on the road. LA have a better offense with 125.3 ppg to Denver’s 113, while Denver have a better defense, allowing 99.8 ppg to LA’s 127. LA have a better accuracy from the field, shooting with 49.3% to Denver’s 45.4%, while Denver have a better accuracy from behind the arc, shooting with 29.8% to LA’s 28.7%. Denver grab more rebounds per game (51.5 to 47.3), while LA dish more assists (28 to 25) and commit fewer turnovers per game (12.2 to 12.7). Denver have been playing extremely well so far this season and expect them to win on the road tonight one way or another.

Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction: Denver Nuggets -3.5 (-109)