NBA: Denver Nuggets vs LA Lakers Preview, Odds, Prediction

Denver Nuggets and the LA Lakers square off at the Crypto.com Arena on Sunday afternoon. Both teams have to come out as winners, Denver to keep the sixth place and the spot that leads directly to the playoffs, while on the other side, the Lakers to keep the play-in chances. The situation is very complicated and the margin for error is thin, which creates enormous pressure, especially on the Lakers. The purple and gold could face one of the biggest disappointments over the past decade.

Preview

Denver Nuggets (46-32) comes to LA with only one goal on its mind, and that is to win. The Nuggets are currently sixth in the West, two games ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves, but not safe at all. With this victory here, they would be much calmer before the final few events of the year.

Jokic and the boys lost to the Timberwolves in their last contest, stopping the three-game winning streak. T-Wolves were once again better, 136-130, and even Jokic’s fantastic performance couldn’t save them this time. The reigning MVP had 38 points with 19 boards and eight assists, shooting 14-for-21 from the field, but that wasn’t enough.

Aaron Gordon scored 24 points and five boards, while Monte Morris added 23 and six dimes. Will Barton was terrible, eight points, 3-for-12 from the field.

LA Lakers (31-46) lost the last five, slipping outside the play-in zone. They were beaten at home to the 76ers, then on the road in New Orleans, Dallas and Utah, before suffering another defeat against the Pelicans, only this time in LA, 114-111.

Anthony Davis got back, but he couldn’t help the purple and gold beat his team. The Eyebrow scored 23 points and had 12 boards with six assists. LeBron was fantastic as usual, with 38 points and eight boards. Though all the other players weren’t anywhere near these two.

Malik Monk scored 13 buckets off the bench with seven assists and five rebounds, Russell Westbrook had 12 points, and he most definitely isn’t going to stay with the Lakers next year, we are sure when saying this. The rift between him and the fans is getting wider and wider after each home game. The spectators are often insulting the former MVP, and it seems that he made the decision to move away.

Head to Head Games

The Nuggets humiliated the Lakers in their previous game this year which took place in Denver. The final result was 133-96 for the hosts, who had Bones Hyland in spectacular mode, 27 points, and 10 assists. Jeff Green had 16, while Jokic posted a triple-double with 17 points, 13 assists, and 12 rebounds.

The Lakers’ best player was LeBron with 25 points, while Westbrook had 13. Anthony Davis didn’t play in this clash.

Prediction

Denver is, in our opinion, a better team, and we sincerely think that the Nuggets are going to beat the shaky and demoralized Lakers. Yes, AD is back, and his presence on the court will be of great help, but when looking at the overall picture, our pick here is Denver. Simply, they look healthier and better.

Pick: Nuggets