Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers Preview (10/30/22): Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds
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The Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets faced off just four days ago in the Mile High City; Denver won the game by 11 points in a low-scoring affair. Check out my preview below, where I cover the key matchups, injury report, projected starting lineups, and current betting odds for the Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers game!
Denver Nuggets Vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Odds
The Denver Nuggets are 3.5-point road favorites against the win-less Los Angeles Lakers. Los Angeles will be without Thomas Bryant, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Dennis Schroder, and Cole Swider. Anthony Davis is also questionable for this matchup due to a minor back injury. Collin Gillespie is still unavailable for the Nuggets, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Davon Reed are questionable.
The point total is 228.5, an interesting number, despite both teams’ aptitude for playing in high-scoring games. In their matchup a few days ago, the total reached 209 points, nearly 20 below the line here. This year, Los Angeles’ highest scoring output was 109 points against the Golden State Warriors, while Denver’s was 128 against the Dubs, too.
Denver Nuggets Vs. Los Angeles Lakers Prediction
Regardless of where this matchup is played, the outcome should be the same: Denver winning the game. The Nuggets won by 11 points at home just a few days ago, despite shooting less than 27% from deep, which was their worst shooting night thus far in the 2022-23 regular season.
The Lakers don’t have a morbidly bad defense; they rank roughly middle-of-the-road in most defensive statistical categories. However, they won’t be able to stop Denver’s high-powered offense this season with everyone healthy.
It was a borderline miracle that the Lakers held the Nuggets to 110 points in their first game. I’d expect them to score much closer to 125-130 points, which the Lakers have gotten nowhere near in their first handful of games. I’ll stick with Denver against the spread on the road.
Betting Trends
- Los Angeles is 0-2 ATS at home in 2022-23
- Denver is 1-2 ATS on the road in 2022-23
- Denver covered the spread in its first matchup against the Lakers in 2022-23
Key Matchups
As far as key matchups go, the Lakers’ offense versus the Nuggets’ defense will see a part two. Los Angeles ranks dead last in offensive efficiency, three-point percentage, and other key offensive statistical categories. Meanwhile, Denver isn’t much better on the defensive end. Check out further analysis on this key matchup below!
Lakers’ Morbid Offense vs. Nuggets’ Atrocious Defense – Round Two
Nothing has changed in the few days since these two teams faced off for the first time this season. Los Angeles is still the worst three-point shooting and offensive team in the league, and Denver is a bottom-ten defense through its first five games.
Luckily for the Nuggets, there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel on that end of the floor; they’ve improved in defensive efficiency and opponent eFG% (effective field goal percentage) while maintaining their impressive offensive output.
On the other hand, Los Angeles may not improve much offensively; it has no three-point shooters, no depth, and tons of injuries, including Anthony Davis, who is questionable for this matchup. While that may indicate a significant injury, it is worrisome that he’s already appearing on the injury report. Advantage: Denver.
Denver Nuggets Starting Lineups
PG: Jamal Murray
SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
SF: Michael Porter Jr
PF: Aaron Gordon
C: Nikola Jokic
Los Angeles Lakers Starting Lineup
PG: Russell Westbrook
SG: Patrick Beverley
SF: LeBron James
PF: Anthony Davis
C: Damian Jones
Key Injuries
Denver Nuggets Injuries: Collin Gillespie (Out)
Los Angeles Lakers Injuries: LeBron James (P), Anthony Davis (Q), Thomas Bryant (Out), Dennis Schroder (Out), Cole Swider (Out), Juan Toscano-Anderson (Out)
