The Denver Nuggets are cooking, carrying a nine-game winning streak into tonight’s primetime matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Although the Lakers have yet to find traction following their acquisition of Luka Doncic, my Lakers vs. Nuggets predictions expect their defense to play a pivotal role in pulling off a potential upset in Denver.
Read more in my NBA picks for Saturday, February 22.
Lakers vs Nuggets prediction
My best bet
Lakers +6.5 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
The Denver Nuggets are on some kind of run, sitting first in offensive efficiency and third in the NBA in net rating over the last three weeks.
The key to Denver’s offensive outburst has been its interior scoring, but the Nuggets have also taken a high volume of shots from the perimeter. Unfortunately for Denver, the Los Angeles Lakers rank fourth in defending the outside shot, which could give them the edge in this matchup.
L.A. will carry a Top-10 frontcourt defense in the league heading into tonight, though its performance in just about every zone has been exceptional. Offensively, the Lakers have taken the fourth-most 3-pointers on average this month and have cashed in at the 11th-best clip, marrying that with the second-best field-goal percentage at the rim.
Denver has been brutal against the 3-pointer this month, allowing almost 37% shooting from outside, and that should allow this Lakers offense to nearly draw level with the Nuggets as they lean on their defense to win this game.
Despite moving Anthony Davis to Dallas a couple of weeks ago, Los Angeles remains a Top-10 team on the glass. As the 3-pointers fall, we may even see Luka Doncic begin to settle in with L.A., and that should give the road team the edge.
Lakers vs Nuggets same-game parlay
Lakers +6.5
LeBron James 3+ threes
Nikola Jokic 10+ assists
I noted above how the Nuggets have struggled against the 3-ball, ranking 21st in field goal percentage allowed and inside the Top 10 in attempts allowed this month. That’s all I need to hear before throwing my money behind LeBron James, who’s shot nearly 40% from outside this year and has cashed in three or more times from outside in six of his last seven.
James has averaged 8.6 3-point attempts per game in his last five contests and has hit this prop in three straight, numbers that will likely go up given the trends we’re seeing.
Meanwhile, the Lakers have allowed the 11th-most assists per 100 possessions this month, and Nikola Jokic has finished with 10+ assists in 12 of his last 17 starts.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Lakers vs Nuggets odds
Lakers vs Nuggets live odds
Lakers vs Nuggets opening odds
- Spread: Los Angeles +7 (-105) | Denver -7 (-115)
- Moneyline: Los Angeles +210 | Denver -260
- Over/Under: Over 240.5 (-110) | Under 240.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Lakers vs Nuggets spread and Over/Under analysis
- This line has been ping-ponging between- 6.5 and -7 all day, but has seemed to settle at 6.5 as of this afternoon.
- The Lakers make up just 45% of the bets but 56% of the handle wagered on the spread.
- The total has trickled up three full points on Saturday with little resistance.
- The Under has accounted for 54% of tickets and 58% of the money.
Lakers vs Nuggets trend
Denver has hit the 2Q moneyline in 17 of its last 22 games (+14.40 Units / 37% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Nuggets.
How to watch Lakers vs Nuggets
| Location | Ball Arena, Denver, CO |
| Date | Saturday, 2-22-2025 |
| Tip-off | 8:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ABC |
Lakers vs Nuggets latest injuries
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