The Denver Nuggets begin defense of their first-ever NBA Championship when they take on the Los Angeles Lakers on NBA Opening Night on Tuesday. The Lakers (43-39 in 2022-23), who were the seventh seed in the West last year, had their season come to an end when they were swept by Denver in the Western Conference Finals. The Nuggets (53-29), who reached the NBA Finals for the first time a year ago, will be looking to reach the postseason for the sixth consecutive year. Los Angeles has won eight of the past 14 meetings with Denver during the regular season.
The game from Ball Arena in Denver is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The Lakers averaged 117.2 points per game last season, while the Nuggets averaged 115.8. Denver is a 5-point favorite in the latest Lakers vs. Nuggets odds, while the over-under for total points scored is 228.5. Before making any Nuggets vs. Lakers picks, be sure to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five seasons. The model finished the 2022-23 NBA season on a 72-39 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning nearly $2,800. Anybody who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Lakers vs. Nuggets, and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Nuggets vs. Lakers:
- Lakers vs. Nuggets spread: Nuggets -5
- Lakers vs. Nuggets over/under: 228.5 points
- Lakers vs. Nuggets money line: Lakers +166, Nuggets -199
- LAL: Have hit the money line in 50 of their last 87 games (+18.85 units)
- DEN: Have hit the fourth quarter total Under in 67 of their last 98 games (+32.01 units)
- Lakers vs. Nuggets picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Nuggets can cover
Small forward Michael Porter Jr. was a solid performer last season, averaging 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and one assist per game. In last year's NBA Finals Game 5, he scored 16 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as the Nuggets clinched the title with a 94-89 win. It was his second double-double of the series, and he had three double-doubles in the Western Conference Finals sweep over the Lakers.
Power forward Aaron Gordon started 68 games for Denver in 2022-23, averaging 16.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and three assists. In four regular-season games against the Lakers a year ago, he averaged 12.5 points and seven rebounds. In 17 career games against Los Angeles, he is averaging 12.3 points and 6.6 rebounds. He scored a preseason high 13 points against Chicago in 23 minutes of action against the Bulls on Oct. 15. See which team to back at SportsLine.
Why the Lakers can cover
Despite that, Denver isn't a lock to cover the Lakers vs. Nuggets spread. That's because Los Angeles is led by 20-year veteran LeBron James. The 6-9 small forward started 54 of 55 games in which he played in in 2022-2023, averaging 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists. He was a dominant force in the Western Conference Finals series against the Nuggets, scoring no fewer than 22 points in a game, and registering four double-doubles. In the Game 4 loss, he narrowly missed a triple-double by pouring in 40 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out nine assists.
Power forward Anthony Davis is also a force for Los Angeles. In 56 games played, including 54 starts, he averaged 25.9 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals. He also posted four double-doubles in the Western Conference Finals against Denver. In Game 1, he scored 40 points and had 10 rebounds. In three regular-season games vs. the Nuggets a year ago, Davis averaged 18.3 points and 11 rebounds. See which team to back at SportsLine.
How to make Nuggets vs. Lakers picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 231 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time. You can see the model's picks at SportsLine.
Who wins Lakers vs. Nuggets, and which side of the spread hits in well over 50% percent of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that is on a 72-39 roll on top-rated NBA pick, and find out.
