Our basketball betting expert offers up his three best Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets betting tips and predictions ahead of their huge NBA clash this Thursday.
The top of the Western Conference of the NBA is tightly packed, with four teams on similar records sitting behind the runaway leaders, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The third-placed Denver Nuggets and fourth-placed Los Angeles Lakers are right in that cluster and, with some huge names on the court, the pair’s meeting in California on Thursday morning could prove to be a top-quality clash.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Betting Tips
- Denver Nuggets -2.0 spread @ 10/11 with bet365
- Austin Reaves over 25.5 points @ 10/11 with bet365
- Nikola Jokic triple double @ 21/20 with bet365
Dangerous Denver to enjoy LA trip
The Los Angeles Lakers were already enjoying a strong season before breaking the internet by acquiring Luka Doncic, one of the NBA’s best players, at the trade deadline.
Unsurprisingly, the arrival of the Slovenian superstar has only strengthened the side, with the Lakers winning 10 of their 15 matches with Doncic in the side.
However, while JJ Reddick’s side are clearly talented and also tough to beat at home – Los Angeles have won their last eight home matches – a visit from the Denver Nuggets could spell trouble for Thursday’s hosts.
The Nuggets have been on a strong run of their own, winning 16 of their last 22 games, and they also have the benefit of having all of their starting five available, something the Lakers cannot boast due to the absence of LeBron James.
With Nikola Jokic available and James out, it could pay to back the Nuggets to secure a ninth win in 11 meetings with the Lakers and cover the handicap while doing so.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Tip 1: Denver Nuggets -2.0 spread @ 10/11 with bet365
Rampant Reaves can continue fine form
While a win may prove beyond the Lakers, there is a good chance that their most in-form player, Austin Reaves, can still enjoy a big night in California.
Reaves has averaged 30.75 points across his last four matches and it is hard to envisage an aging Russell Westbrook and a defensively questionable Jamal Murray from stopping him extending his sensational run.
The Lakers guard put up 37 points when these sides met in Denver earlier this month and he can clear a line of 25.5 on Thursday morning.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Tip 2: Austin Reaves over 25.5 points @ 10/11 with bet365
Jokic may have last laugh in California
Jokic being back will strike fear into the Lakers and siding with the Serbian star to have a big game could prove to be a solid route to profit.
The two-time MVP has averaged 32 points, 9.5 assists and 13.3 rebounds across his last six matches, and a second triple double (over 10 in each of those statistics) in that run could be imminent.
Jokic has been one, two and three assists away from a triple double in his last three away games against the Lakers but he could get over the line this time as he will not be marked by Anthony Davis as he was in those previous trips to LA.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Tip 3: Nikola Jokic triple double @ 21/20 with bet365
