Nuggets Favored to Claim Sixth Straight Home Win vs. Lakers as 2-Point Favorite
By Daniel Coyle in NBA Basketball
Updated: April 3, 2020 at 3:47 pm EDTPublished:
- Denver Nuggets favorites to extend SU home win streak to six games
- Nuggets on the rebound following a disappointing overtime loss in Sacramento last time out
- Winners in eight straight road contests, Lakers visit Nuggets as betting underdogs for the first time this season
The Denver Nuggets will be looking to close the gap on the top of the Western Conference standings with a sixth straight outright victory on home hardwood when they host the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night as narrow 2-point favorites.
As you can see in the Lakers vs Nuggets odds Denver has covered the spread in three of their last five, and will look to keep the streak going at Pepsi Center.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers | +2 (-110) | +105 | O 208.5 (-110) |
| Denver Nuggets | -2 (-110) | -125 | U 208.5 (-110) |
Odds taken December 3rd
Nuggets Aim to Bounce Back
Denver closed out the month of November on a disappointing note, dropping a 100-97 overtime decision in Sacramento on Saturday, but have been red-hot on home court, tallying SU wins in five straight contests going into Monday’s game.
Fitting end to this one. Nuggets don’t get off a potential game-tying shot on the final possession, fall to Kings 100-97 after scoring just 40 points in the 2nd half (plus OT). Nikola Jokic scores in single digits for a third straight game. Not Jamal Murray’s best night either.
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) December 1, 2019
The Nuggets blew a 17-point halftime lead on the way to their loss to the Kings as 4-point road chalk, which also put the brakes on a steady 6-0 SU run that has bolstered their second-place position in the Western Conference standings, just 2.5 games back of Los Angeles.
Fast Start Powered by Stout Defense
Denver’s stout defense has powered their solid 13-4 start, allowing just 101.8 points per game through their first 17 outings, and have surrendered just 97.6 points per game during their current five-game home winning streak.
Denver’s stingy ways have contributed to a 4-1 ATS run over the team’s past five home dates. The UNDER has also paid out with regularity when the Nuggets play at home, going 4-1 in their past five and 7-3 on the season.
Defense gets it done!!#MileHighBasketball https://t.co/Kr76Bj6Ec2
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) November 9, 2019
Those impressive trends extend to recent home dates with the Lakers. The Nuggets have dominated Los Angeles in contests at Pepsi Center in recent years, winning and covering decisively in each of their past five home dates, and are 10-2 SU in 12 regular-season meetings with the Lakers since the start of the 2012-13 NBA season.
Denver romped to a 117-85 rout as 3-point chalk in the Lakers’ last visit just over a year ago, with Los Angeles embarking on a season-defining swoon in the days that followed. However, the Nuggets should expect to face a vastly improved Lakers squad this time around.
Lakers Underdogs for First Time in Campaign
The Lakers travel to the Mile High City pegged as betting underdogs for the first time this season after suffering a 114-100 loss to the Dallas Mavericks as 6.5-point home favorites on Sunday, snapping a 10-game SU win streak.
Like the Nuggets, Los Angeles failed to maintain a halftime lead, coming out flat in the final frame, and have now scored 21 or fewer fourth-quarter points in two of their past three outings.
The Dallas Mavericks ended the Los Angeles Lakers' 10 game winning-streak in a thrilling #NBASundays battle last night. The Lakers led early however the Mavs finished as the 114-100 victors 👏 pic.twitter.com/vEczPtlPjF
— NBA UK (@NBAUK) December 2, 2019
Sporting a conference-best 17-3 record, the Lakers remain perched atop the NBA championship odds in sportsbooks, joining the LA Clippers as +300 co-favorites. While Los Angeles has dominated on the scoreboard, the team has struggled to regularly reward sports bettors, posting ATS wins in just three of their past nine, and are just 2-4 ATS in their past six road dates.
LA Benefitting from Favorable Early Schedule
The Lakers have also built their early-season success on a favorable schedule, with 13 of their 20 contests to date coming against opponents currently outside the NBA playoff picture, while their three losses have come against formidable opponents including Toronto and the Clippers.
Lakers are now 3-3 vs. teams .500 or better (losses to Clippers, Raptors, Mavericks)
14-0 against all others
— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) December 1, 2019
That has provided ample opportunity for LeBron James and Anthony Davis to get comfortable, with the duo joining the top ten in scoring with 25.7 and 26.1 points per game, respectively.
With the Nuggets’ stingy defense awaiting them, Los Angeles could struggle to maintain the pace that has netted the squad over 117 points per game over their past eight outings, setting the stage for a tight affair.
Picks: Nuggets -2 (-110), UNDER 208.5 (-110)
Sports Writer
Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.
