Lakers vs Nuggets Picks and Predictions: Westbrook Shines in LeBron's Absence

The Los Angeles Lakers are doing their best to save their season. Even without Anthony Davis, LeBron James continues to amaze and has led the Lakers to five straight wins.

But if the Lakers want to make it six in a row, they will need to do it without LeBron, who will sit this one out with a sore ankle. That means L.A. will be a massive underdog when the team visits two-time reigning MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets on Monday night.

Can the Lakers somehow stay hot without their two best players in the cool Denver air, or will the Joker and the Nuggets prove too much?

I break down this Western Conference matchup and bring you my best bet in our free NBA picks and predictions for Lakers vs. Nuggets on January 9. 

Lakers vs Nuggets best odds

Lakers vs Nuggets picks and predictions

It was quickly looking like it was going to be another wasted season for LeBron James and the Lakers. They held a 14-21 record at one point, and Anthony Davis was sidelined for at least a month. 

But then LeBron decided to put the team on his back, averaging 38 points on 58% shooting, to go along with nine rebounds and eight assists over the four games he played during this five-game winning streak. 

Unfortunately, no LeBron for the Lakers tonight means they will be massive underdogs. However, it also means there will be some added opportunities for other Lakers players to step up.

Enter Russell Westbrook.

The Lakers guard has embraced coming off the bench for the Lakers, and that still may be the case in this game without LeBron, as Westbrook hasn’t started a game for L.A. since Oct. 23.

But just because he’s not starting doesn’t mean the Lakers haven’t relied on the former MVP. Westbrook is averaging nearly 30 minutes per game since the start of December and is averaging 14.6 points, 8.7 assists, and 7.7 rebounds. Over the last three games, Westbrook has scored 20.7 points per contest on 47.8% shooting.

Tonight he gets to go against a Nuggets team that isn’t a great defending team and struggles to defend guards. Denver ranks 17th in points per game and 26th in opponent field goal percentage given up to opposing guards.

With no LeBron and no AD, look for the Lakers to lean on Westbrook and take the Over on his point total of 20.5 — a number he's gone Over in two of his last three games.

My best bet: Russell Westbrook Over 20.5 points (-110 at FanDuel)

Lakers vs Nuggets spread analysis

When LeBron was expected to play in this game, the Lakers were still pretty big underdogs. Los Angeles opened this matchup as 9-point dogs, and once it was announced LeBron wouldn’t suit up due to a nagging sore ankle, the line jumped to Nuggets -13.

If LeBron were playing in this game, I might have ended up going with the Lakers, considering his and the team’s current form. With the King now sitting and the additional fact that the Nuggets have been so good at home, even 13 points aren’t enough to have me feeling confident in backing the road team.

Denver is 16-3 when playing at home this season, which includes a not-too-shabby 12-7 record against the spread.

Can Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets blow the Lakers out of the water here? Sure.

It’s still just a few too many points for me to consider a play. 

Lakers vs Nuggets Over/Under analysis

While I’m a little uneasy with the side, I’m a little more confident in the total and would still lean toward the Over, even without LeBron playing in this one.

For starters, Jokic is having a third consecutive magnificent season. So much so that the Nuggets are tied with the Celtics for the top offensive rating in the NBA. They also lead the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage. Tonight, they face a Lakers team that ranks 21st in defensive rating and 27th in scoring defense. 

That said, all that offense for the Nuggets may be hurting them on the other end of the floor. Denver ranks just 23rd in defensive rating and 25th in opponent field goal percentage.

Mix in the Lakers' high pace of play, and the Over makes a bunch of sense tonight.

Lakers vs Nuggets betting trend to know

The Over is 9-2 in the Lakers' last 11 road games and 5-1 in the Nuggets' last six overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Nuggets.

Lakers vs Nuggets game info

Lakers vs Nuggets key injuries

Pages related to this topic