LA Lakers (40-24) vs. Denver Nuggets (42-24)
March 14, 2025 9:30 pm EDT
The Line: Denver Nuggets -14.5; Over/Under: 233.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Denver Nuggets play host to the Los Angeles Lakers at the Ball Arena on Friday night. Here’s a Nuggets vs Lakers Prediction. This article will include a Nuggets vs Lakers Pick.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Lakers look to have cooled off from their eight-game win streak as they are now aiming to snap a three-game skid after getting trampled by the Bucks in a 126-106 road defeat last night. Luka Doncic tried his best as he led the way with 45 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists on 14 of 27 shooting. Austin Reaves added 28 points on 10 of 17 shooting while Dalton Knecht chipped in with 10 points, but no other player scored more than six points. As a team, the Lakers shot just 43 percent from the field and 15 of 40 from the 3-point line as they rode the hot hand of Doncic to stay within striking distance in the first half. Before they went cold and got outscored by 31-19 in the third quarter to trail by as many as 23 points. The Lakers will face the Suns following this one.
Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets have been in decent form lately as they’ve split their last 10 games and they will be eager to get back on the court after getting embarrassed by the Timberwolves in a 115-95 home defeat on Wednesday. Nikola Jokic led the team with 34 points, eight rebounds, and four assists on 13 of 23 shooting, Russell Westbrook added 19 points while Jamal Murray chipped in with 12 points and eight assists. As a team, the Nuggets shot just 40 percent from the field and seven of 30 from the 3-point line as they struggled against the defense of the Timberwolves from the start. They simply got outscored in every quarter to suffer one of their worst defeats of the season. Jamal Murray had a rough game as he shot just four of 15 from the field while Christian Braun has been in sensational form but finished with just six points on three of 10 shooting.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Nuggets have won each of their last 13 games against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Lakers have lost each of their last 10 road games on the second leg of a back-to-back against the Nuggets.
- The home team has covered the spread in each of the Lakers’ last eight games.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight road games on the second leg of a back-to-back against the Nuggets.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Lakers have won each of their last seven games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Nuggets have lost three of their last four games as home favorites following a home loss.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in each of the last six games between the Lakers and Nuggets.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six home games after losing as favorites.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Lakers’ last six night games at Ball Arena has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Eight of the last nine games between the Lakers and Nuggets at Ball Arena have gone UNDER the total points line.
Nuggets vs Lakers Prediction
The Lakers are still shorthanded with Rui Hachimura, Jaxson Hayes and LeBron James ruled out, while the Nuggets have ruled out Julian Strawther again, and they have Aaron Gordon upgraded to questionable for this one. The Lakers have been hit hard by injuries, so it’s been up to Luka Doncic to carry the offense, which wasn’t enough to get the job done last night against the Bucks.
The Nuggets haven’t been at their absolute best lately, but they will surely be eager to make up for their mistakes on Wednesday when they got smashed by the Timberwolves at home. It’s hard to imagine anything but a comfortable win for the Nuggets coming off a bad loss, but the line is just so hefty that I have to lean toward the Lakers to get the backdoor cover on the road.
