Lakers vs Nuggets Odds & Picks: Reeling Lakers Still Looking For First Win

The Los Angeles Lakers (0-3 SU, 0-3 ATS) are 2-11 SU and 5-8 ATS over their last 13 games heading into Wednesday night’s matchup against the Denver Nuggets (2-2, 1-3). The Lakers will try to pick up their first win of the season as a Lakers vs Nuggets prediction underdog in Denver.

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Lakers vs Nuggets Sportsbook Odds 

The Nuggets opened as 6-point favorites at home before betting action on Los Angeles bumped the Lakers vs Nuggets odds down slightly to Denver -5.5. The total in this Western Conference matchup has settled in at 229.5 points since Sportsbook at 228 points. The OVER is 6-0 in Los Angeles’ last 6 games against Denver.

Get the best Lakers vs Nuggets odds and lines available from our recommended sportsbooks for your favorite picks of the night.

Russell Westbrook’s Struggles Have Contributed To Lakers’ Slow Start

With the Lakers leading the Portland Trail Blazers 102-101 on Sunday night, Russell Westbrook inexplicably took a 16-foot jump shot with 30 seconds left on the game clock and 18 seconds left on the shot clock. The shot missed and gave Damian Lillard the opportunity to make a three-pointer in a game that the Lakers went on to lose 106-104 at home as 4-point favorites.

Westbrook’s 28.9 percent shooting from the field and 8.3 percent shooting from three-point range have played a large role in the Lakers’ 0-3 SU and ATS start to the season. LeBron James and Anthony Davis will try to lead the Lakers to a win without Westbrook in the lineup on Wednesday as the veteran guard is listed as doubtful with a hamstring injury.

Denver’s Defense Has Been An Issue Early In 2022

The Nuggets suffered their second blowout loss of the season Monday night as the Trail Blazers rolled to a 135-110 win over Denver in Portland. Denver was also blown out 123-102 in its season opener on the road against the Utah Jazz prior to picking up a 128-123 upset victory over the Golden State Warriors in the team’s only ATS win of the season to date. The 124.5 points per game the Nuggets are allowing currently ranks last in the NBA.

Nikola Jokic has averaged 20.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 9.5 assists through Denver’s first four games. Jokic averaged 27.1 points and 13.8 rebounds last season en route to his second straight NBA MVP award. Michael Porter Jr., averaging 18 points per game so far, is questionable to play Wednesday with a back injury.

Lakers Player Prop: LeBron James OVER 29.5 points (-110)

LeBron James has scored 31 points in two of his first three games in 2022-23, and including last season he has scored more than 30 points in seven of his last eight games. With Westbrook out of the lineup, look for James to have a high volume of shots and score 30 or more points in this one.

Nuggets Player Prop: Nikola Jokic OVER 7.5 assists (-154)

Nikola Jokic has averaged 10.7 assists per game over his last three games, including nine assists in only 27 minutes of action on Monday against Portland. While Jokic is on a roll dishing out assists to his teammates, recording eight or more on Wednesday against the Lakers is quite likely.

Lakers: Keys to Win

The Lakers don’t have much depth these days behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis, so it will be up to the team’s two star players to do the lion’s share of the work on offense. To pick up the cover or the win as a Lakers vs Nuggets prediction, Los Angeles will also need to have a good game on defense.

Nuggets: Keys to Win

Los Angeles has made only 23 percent of its jump shots this season and is shooting 21.2 percent from three-point range. As long as Denver can defend the key and force the Lakers to shoot, the team should like its chances to score a win as a Lakers vs Nuggets pick at home.

NBA Computer Pick: Nuggets -5.5

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