Two-time reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets (17-10) hit the road to take on LeBron James the Los Angeles Lakers (11-16) on Friday at Crypto.com Arena. Los Angeles is 6-7 at home, while the Nuggets are 9-7 on the road. Denver is coming off a 141-128 win over the Washington Wizards, extending their current winning streak to three games. The Lakers are looking to bounce back from a 122-118 overtime loss to the Boston Celtics. James and Anthony Davis are listed as day-to-day for Los Angeles, but both are expected to play on Friday. Michael Porter Jr. is out for Denver.
Tip-off is at 10 p.m. ET. Denver is favored by 1.5 points in the latest Lakers vs. Nuggets odds from Caesars Sportsbook, and the over/under is set at 237. Before making any Nuggets vs. Lakers picks, you'll want to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven simulation model at SportsLine.
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 four-plus seasons. The model enters Week 9 of the 2022-23 NBA season on a stunning 26-10 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $1,400. Anyone following 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 betting lines for Lakers vs. Nuggets:
- Lakers vs. Nuggets spread: Lakers +1.5
- Lakers vs. Nuggets over/under: 237 points
- Lakers vs. Nuggets money line: Los Angeles -105, Denver -115
- Lakers vs. Nuggets picks: See picks here
What you need to know about the Lakers
The Lakers fought the good fight in their overtime contest against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result, falling 122-118. A silver lining for Los Angeles was the play of center Anthony Davis, who posted a double-double on 37 points and 12 rebounds.
Davis and LeBron James have been playing at an extremely high level for the Lakers this season. Davis is averaging team highs in points (28.1) and rebounds (12.4), while James is averaging 26.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game. The Lakers have had some struggles on the defensive end, allowing opponents to score an average of 116.6 points per game.
What you need to know about the Nuggets
Meanwhile, Denver had enough points to win and then some against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, taking their game 141-128. Center Nikola Jokic had a dynamite game for Denver; he almost dropped a triple-double on 43 points, 14 boards, and eight dimes.
Jokic has once again been stellar to open the season with per game averages of 24.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 9.0 assists. Jamal Murray (17.7 points, 5.1 assists per game) and Aaron Gordon (16.9 points, 6.4 rebounds per game) have provided Jokic a strong supporting cast. Second-year point guard Bones Hyland (14.6 points, 3.5 assists per game) has given the Nuggets a dynamic option off the bench. Denver is 12-15 against the spread this season.
How to make Nuggets vs. Lakers picks
The model has simulated Lakers vs. Nuggets 10,000 times and the results are in. We can tell you that the model is leaning Under on the point total, and it's also generated a point-spread pick that is hitting in well over 50% of simulations. You can only see the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Lakers vs. Nuggets? And which side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Nuggets vs. Lakers spread you need to jump on Friday, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.
