Lakers vs Nuggets Game Info
2022-23 NBA Regular Season'Game
Los Angeles Lakers (0-3, 0-1 Away) vs.'Denver Nuggets (2-2, 1-0 Home)
Date:'Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022
Venue:'Ball Arena – Denver, CO
Coverage:'ESPN
The 2022-23 NBA season keeps rolling on Wednesday night with a marquee matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets. The Lakers have yet to earn their first win of the year and fell to the Portland Trail Blazers by a score of 106-104 on Sunday. Shooting woes were to blame.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets' two-game winning streak came to an end with their own loss to the Trail Blazers on Monday (135-110 score). Reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic scored only 9 points on 3-of-4 shooting across 26 minutes. Aaron Gordon paced the offense with 33 points on 12-of-16 shooting.
Lakers vs Nuggets Odds & Spread
Moneyline:'LAL: (+184) | DEN: (-220)
Spread:'LAL: +5.5 (-110) | DEN: -5.5 (-110)
Total:'229 -Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)
The Nuggets enter this contest as notable home favorites on the moneyline and spread on FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 10 p.m. ET clash also features a total of 229, which is among the highest of Wednesday's projected totals.
Lakers vs Nuggets Prediction & Pick
It could not be going worse for the Lakers right now, especially from beyond the arc. LA has started the season 25-of-118 from three-point range, which lines up as a dismal 21.2% shooting percentage. Not only does that mark rank last in the league, but it is the worst start by any team in NBA history.
If the Lakers cannot figure out their long range efforts, they could be in trouble again on Wednesday night. Denver's offense boasts a top-10 efficiency ranking and averages a reliable 122.0 points per game at home this season. Their bench depth also greatly outshines that of the Lakers reserves.
The Nuggets took two of three from the Lakers last year and I expect them to earn a key home W.
Final Score Prediction:'Lakers: 114 | Nuggets: 124
Lakers vs Nuggets Betting Trends
– The Lakers are 9-4 straight up in their last 13 games against Denver.
– The total has hit the over in four of the Lakers' last five games against Denver.
– Denver is 3-7 against the spread (ATS) in its last 10 games.
– The total has hit the over in four of Denver's last five home games.
Lakers vs Nuggets Best Bet
When these teams met last season, shots were being drained all over the court. Each game saw at least 229 total points scored as defensive stops were hard to come by. The over has cashed in four of the last five meetings between LA and Denver as well as in four of Denver's last five home contests.
Seeing a defensive battle suddenly break out this time around would be surprising. Denver owns the second-worst defensive efficiency mark in the NBA and LA is giving up 123.0 points per game on the road. Stars like Jokic, LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Jamal Murray are going to ball out.