NBA Tips & Preview – Denver V LA Lakers

The daily NBA preview takes it to the rim with tips for a heavyweight showdown between the Denver Nuggets and LA Lakers. 

History: Played 203: Lakers 126 V Nuggets 77

Last meeting: March 6, 2019: Nuggets 115 d Lakers 99 at Staples Center

Final Thoughts: The Western Conference’s top two teams lock horns in Mile High City. The 17-3 LA Lakers still hold a handy lead at the top of the table, but the 13-4 Denver Nuggets are in second with a few games in hand.

Both contenders are coming off losses.

The Nuggets had won six in a row before rounding out November with a 100-97 overtime loss to the Kings.

Nikola Jokic was again quiet, continuing a rough season for the widely-touted MVP candidate. He is averaging 4.5 points, 1.3 assists and 0.4 rebounds per game less than last season.

The Lakers’ 10-game winning streak came to an abrupt halt courtesy of a 114-100 home defeat to Luka Doncic and the Mavericks.

LeBron James (25 pts, 9 reb, 8 ast) and Anthony Davis (27 pts, 10 reb) were solid but received little support.

The Nuggets have won 10 of their last 12 against the Lakers at home, including the last five straight.

Last season’s sole clash in Denver saw the Nuggets romp to a 117-85 victory.

The Nuggets are 8-2 at home this season. Meanwhile, the over has hit in 10 of the last 13 games in Denver. The Lakers are an impressive 8-0 away from Staples, but just 2-5 against the start in their last seven games overall.

Both sides were flat last time out, but the Lakers seem the better chance of bouncing back. The Nuggets boast the NBA’s best defensive rating, but they are ranked bottom half on offence. The Lakers are fifth and sixth respectively – and tantalising underdog value here.

Tip: Result – Lakers @ $2.10