Denver @ Los Angeles picks

Dennis Schroder has played 28.7 minutes per game this year, ranking among the most used players in the NBA: 75th percentile. The Los Angeles Lakers rank as the 8th-highest scoring offense in the league this year. The Los Angeles Lakers have played at the 6th-most up-tempo pace-of-play in the NBA this year. Dennis Schroder will have the benefit of the home court advantage in this contest. Playing on your home court tends to improves player production in all facets of the game.

Aaron Gordon has sunk 55.7% of his shot attempts from the field this year, placing him in the 88th percentile out of all players in the NBA. Aaron Gordon has played 36.4 minutes per game over the last 5 games while on the road, 4.9 higher than he's played over the course of the season on the road. The matchup vs. Los Angeles is a favorable one for shots from the field; when the Lakers are on their home court, the other team's starting PFs have tallied the 21st-most FG attempts per game in the NBA this year (12.1). The Lakers have played at the 6th-quickest pace-of-play in the NBA this year, which ought to increase possessions for the Nuggets. The Denver Nuggets check in as the 10th-best offensive rebounding offense in the NBA over the last 10 games (offensive rebounds maintain possession and can therefore produce new chances for scoring and assists).

The Denver Nuggets have played at the 3rd-least up-tempo pace-of-play in the NBA over the last 15 games. The Lakers have given up the 2nd-most offensive rebounds per game (12.6) in the league to the other team over the last 15 games (offensive rebounds maintain possession and may therefore provide added opportunities for scoring and assists). As a team, the Denver Nuggets have been quite unsuccesful at drawing fouls while playing away from home: 3rd-worst in the NBA this year, totaling a lowly 20.6 foul shots per game. Jamal Murray will not receive the benefit of the home court advantage in this contest. Playing while traveling generally lowers stat production across the board.

The matchup against Los Angeles is a difficult one for scoring; when the Lakers are at home, the other team's starting Cs have tallied the 13th-least field goals per game in the league this year (4.5). The Denver Nuggets have played at the 3rd-least up-tempo pace-of-play in the NBA over the last 15 games. The Lakers have given up the 2nd-most offensive rebounds per game (12.6) in the league to the other team over the last 15 games (offensive rebounds maintain possession and may therefore provide added opportunities for scoring and assists). As a team, the Denver Nuggets have been quite unsuccesful at drawing fouls while playing away from home: 3rd-worst in the NBA this year, totaling a lowly 20.6 foul shots per game. Nikola Jokic will not enjoy the home court advantage in this game. Playing away from your home stadium tends to reduces player performance for all stats.

The matchup against the Nuggets is a hard one for threes; opposing starting SGs have totaled the 15th-least treys per game in the NBA this year (1.8). The Nuggets have played at the 3rd-most lethargic pace in the league over the last 15 games, which ought to lead to fewer possessions for the Lakers. The Los Angeles Lakers check in as the worst offensive rebounding offense in the league over the last 5 games (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them may therefore reduce additional chances for scoring and assists). While on the road, the Nuggets have allowed the 6th-most offensive rebounds per game (11.3) in the NBA to opposing teams over the last 20 games (offensive rebounds maintain possession and can therefore lead to new opportunities for scoring and assists). The matchup vs. Denver is a tough one for drawing fouls; opposing starting SGs have attempted a mere 2.9 foul shots per game this year when the Nuggets are the visiting squad (4th-least in the NBA).