Los Angeles Lakers (0-3) vs. Denver Nuggets (2-2)
The NBA betting action continues with a ten-game Wednesday card, and the Los Angeles Lakers head to Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, to square off against the Denver Nuggets for the first time in 2022-23. Last season, the Nuggets went 2-1 SU and ATS against the Lakers, but LA won their final battle 146-141 as a 6-point road underdog.
The Lakers are listed as 6.5-point road dogs this time around. The Nuggets are firm moneyline favorites with a total of 226.5 points, so let’s take a closer look.
The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the biggest disappointments of the young season. Not only do they sit at 0-3 SU and ATS, but the Lakers own the lowest offensive rating in the NBA, tallying 97.2 points per 100 possessions. Furthermore, the Lakers make just 40.7% of their field goals (30th in the league) and 21.2% of their 3-pointers (also 30th) while handing out 24.0 assists per contest (tied-17th).
Last Sunday, the Lakers had a seven-point lead with just 1:56 to go in the fourth quarter and still lost 106-104 to the Portland Trail Blazers. Los Angeles outscored Portland 66-38 in the paint but went 6-for-33 from beyond the arc. LeBron James led the way for the Lakers with 31 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, while Anthony Davis added 22 points, ten boards, and six blocks. Russell Westbrook had another bad day in the office, finishing with ten points on 4-for-15 shooting from the field.
“We were getting some of the same shots down the stretch we were getting earlier, just didn’t make them,” LeBron James said. “Westbrook got some good looks and wasn't able to knock them down. Defensively, we couldn't get multiple stops in a row.”
LeBron James has tied Karl Malone for most 20-point games in NBA history (1,134). pic.twitter.com/efrEktu2LE
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 23, 2022
After scoring 19 points on 7-for-12 shooting from the field in a season-opening loss at Golden State 123-109, Westbrook missed all of his 11 shots in a 103-97 home defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers. Russ will have to improve a lot, and the Lakers also need more from their bench players. LA’s second unit has averaged 20.3 points a night over the previous three contests.
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