Having split their two meetings this season 1-1 both SU and ATS, the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers will hit the hardwood together again on Sunday night at the Staples Center.
The Lakers topped the Nuggets 122-103 as a 5.5-point home favorite when the Western teams met for the first time this season on November 30, but Denver turned the tables with a 126-114 home win as a 3.5-point favorite on December 26.
The Nuggets will try to spoil to the party on Sunday; they are 21-14 ATS against the number this season, while the Lakers are 13-19 ATS. (Note: follow us on Twitter for line updates and injuries news). Denver is 17-18 on the totals; Los Angeles is 18-14.
View Denver vs LA Lakers Odds and Stats.
Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Lakers - Nuggets odds would favor the Nuggets if the lines were set according to power ranks. Los Angeles is rated No. 8 in our latest Odds Shark poll, while the Nuggets sit at No. 5. Math models based on recent stats and predictive formulas point to a 104-103 win for the Nuggets.
How They Match Up:
In rebounding, the battle of the boards features Los Angeles's No. 4-rated squad against Denver's No. 2-rated roster. When it comes to long-range shooting, Los Angeles rates No. 5 in the league with 8.8 per game, while their foes tonight rank No. 25 with 6.1 per outing.
Defensively, the Nuggets feature the league's No. 23-rated defense on the road, giving up 101.6 points per game. Los Angeles, meanwhile, comes in at No. 11 in the league in scoring at home.
The Nuggets were a 110-91 Sportsbook in their most recent outing at home against the Jazz. They covered the 10.5-point spread as favorites, while the total score (201) made Sportsbooks of UNDER bettors. Denver got 26 points from Danilo Gallinari en route to a 110-91 victory over Utah on Saturday at Pepsi Center.
The Lakers were a 107-102 loser in their most recent outing on the road against the Clippers. They failed to cover the 4.5-point spread as underdogs, while the total score (209) made Sportsbooks of OVER bettors. Kobe Bryant was dynamite, scoring 38 points and adding 0 rebounds but Los Angeles still won, 107-102, over Los Angeles on Friday at STAPLES Center.
Denver Nuggets Trends:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Orlando are 8-2
After playing Utah are 3-7
After a win are 3-7
Los Angeles Lakers Trends:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Houston are 3-7
After playing LA Clippers are 7-3
After a loss are 5-5
A few Nuggets at Lakers trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Denver's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Denver's last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Denver's last 13 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
Denver is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
LA Lakers are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against Denver
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the LA Lakers last 5 games when playing Denver
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of the LA Lakers last 13 games when playing at home against Denver
LA Lakers are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games
Next up:
Denver home to Orlando, Wednesday, January 9
LA Lakers at Houston, Tuesday, January 8
