Denver @ Los Angeles picks

Over the last 25 games, the opposing team's starting SGs have notched 15.6 points per game (lowest in the league) vs. the Denver Nuggets, creating a challenging matchup for offensive performance. The Lakers have played at the 7th-least up-tempo tempo in the league over the last 15 games while at home. The Los Angeles Lakers have been the 5th-worst offensive rebounding offense in the NBA this year (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them may therefore eliminate further chances for scoring and assists).

Relative to last year's 32.3 rate, Aaron Gordon's playing time has regressed this year to 26.9 minutes per game. The Nuggets check in as the least aggressive offense in the league this year with respect to three-point attempts. The clash with Jaxson Hayes comes in at the 7th percentile for difficulty with the other team's starting Cs scoring a mere 11.4 points per game this year. The Denver Nuggets are expected to suffer a reduction in possessions today from squaring off against the 7th-most sluggish pace home team in the league over the last 15 games (the Lakers). The matchup against Jaxson Hayes is a challenging one for getting to the charity stripe; when facing other starting Cs this year, they have attempted a lowly 2.4 free throws per game (7th percentile).

Russell Westbrook has tallied 2.5 personal fouls per game this year, making him one of the most highest-fouling players in the league (90th percentile). The Denver Nuggets are expected to suffer a reduction in possessions today from squaring off against the 7th-most sluggish pace home team in the league over the last 15 games (the Lakers). Russell Westbrook figures to see a decline in productivity in all facets of the game on account of being on the road in this contest.

Dorian Finney-Smith has averaged 33.8 minutes per game over the last 5 games on his home court, 5.5 higher than he's averaged overall this season at home. The Nuggets have played at the 5th-most up-tempo pace-of-play in the NBA this year, which ought to lead to more opportunities for the Lakers. Dorian Finney-Smith stands to get a boost in output for all stats as a result of having the home court advantage in this matchup.

Gabe Vincent has made a terrific 39.8% of his field goals this season, significantly more than his 23.3 mark last season. Gabe Vincent has tallied 27.8 minutes per game over the last 5 games with the home court advantage, 7.1 higher than he's tallied overall this season at home. The Nuggets have played at the 5th-most up-tempo pace-of-play in the NBA this year, which ought to lead to more opportunities for the Lakers. Gabe Vincent has sunk 100.0% of his free throws over the last 5 games, 31.3% higher than he's sunk overall this year. In regard to getting to the free-throw line, the Los Angeles Lakers's stellar 24.5 foul shots per game while on their home court rates best in the league this year.

The Nuggets check in as the least aggressive offense in the league this year with respect to three-point attempts. The Denver Nuggets are expected to suffer a reduction in possessions today from squaring off against the 7th-most sluggish pace home team in the league over the last 15 games (the Lakers). Peyton Watson has successfully made 100.0% of his free throw attempts over the last 5 games on the road, 20.5% higher than he's made overall this year when playing on the road. The matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers may be a difficult one for getting to the charity stripe; the opposition's starting PFs have attempted just 2.2 free throws per game over the last 15 games (least in the NBA). Peyton Watson will not have the benefit of the home court advantage in this contest. Playing while traveling tends to decrease player performance in all stat categories.

Gabe Vincent has averaged 2.3 assists per game over the last 15 games on his home court, 0.9 more than he's averaged in all games this year at home. Gabe Vincent has tallied 27.8 minutes per game over the last 5 games with the home court advantage, 7.1 higher than he's tallied overall this season at home. The Nuggets have played at the 5th-most up-tempo pace-of-play in the NBA this year, which ought to lead to more opportunities for the Lakers. Gabe Vincent should get a boost in efficiency in all stat categories considering enjoying the home court advantage in this contest.