It will be a showdown between two stifling defenses when the Denver Nuggets (13-4), 2-point favorites, clash with the Los Angeles Lakers (17-3) at Pepsi Center. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 210.5 points and it will air on Altitude Sports & Entertainmnt at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 3, 2019.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets ATS Odds
Both teams lost as favorites in their last contest. The Nuggets (4-point favorites) were defeated by the Sacramento Kings, 100-97, while the Lakers (6-point favorites) fell to the Dallas Mavericks, 114-100. The Denver game went 8 points under the projected point total of 205, while the Los Angeles game went 8.5 points under the projected point total of 222.5.
Los Angeles did a terrific job of making free throws (13-16; 81.3 percent) while Denver held Sacramento to an effective field goal percentage of 0.427 (below their season average of 0.523). Gary Harris had a solid performance for Denver with 25 points. Anthony Davis led the way for Los Angeles, finishing with 27 points and 10 rebounds.
The Nuggets edged out the Lakers in this series last year, securing victories in two out of three games. In the most recent matchup, Denver won 115-99. Denver’s rebounding was their largest advantage. The Nuggets had 18 offensive rebounds and 55 total rebounds, while the Lakers had five and 41, respectively. This is the first time these teams will meet this year.
Of the Lakers’ 20 games, 12 have finished under the total. Los Angeles holds records of 17-3 straight up (SU) and 11-9 against the spread (ATS).
Similarly to Los Angeles, games involving the Nuggets also have a tendency to finish under the projected point total (76.5 percent). Denver is 13-4 SU, but they are just 7-8-2 ATS.
The ineffective offense of Denver (21st in the league with an offensive efficiency of 104.7) will square off against the stingy defense of Los Angeles (fourth in the league with a defensive efficiency of 101.2). The Lakers should have the edge on that end of the court.
Lakers vs. Nuggets Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Lakers, ATS Winner – Lakers, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Lakers rank second in points in the paint per game (53.4) while the Nuggets rank 11th in points allowed in the paint per game (46.8).
- Los Angeles ranks third in fast break points per game (16.8) while Denver ranks 21st (12.5).
- The Nuggets rank third in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.5) while the Lakers rank 16th (17.1).
- Denver ranks fifth in rebounds per game (47.6) while Los Angeles ranks 17th (44.9).
- Los Angeles ranks first in blocks per game (7.3) while Denver ranks 12th (5.1).
- The Nuggets rank ninth in steals allowed per game (7.3) while the Lakers rank 25th (8.3).
- The Lakers rank fourth in assists per game (26.6) while the Nuggets rank 16th in assists allowed per game (24.0).
- Los Angeles ranks 24th in three pointers attempted per game (30.1) while Denver ranks 27th (29.5).
- Los Angeles ranks second in second chance points per game (15.6) while Denver ranks 17th (12.6).
- Denver is 8-0 when they allow under 100 points, while Los Angeles is 6-0.
- In games where they score more than 100 points, the Lakers are 14-3 and the Nuggets are 11-3.
- Denver is 4-5-1 ATS at home, while Los Angeles is 4-5 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone under in 8 of the Nuggets’ 10 home games, while 5 of the Lakers’ 9 road games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- The Nuggets are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Lakers are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Denver has 4 unders and 1 over, while Los Angeles has 5 unders.
- During their last five games, the Nuggets have scored an average of 106.2 points per game (0.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 99.0 points per game (2.8 below their season average).
- The Lakers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.6, down from 8.2 for the season.
