October 24, 2023; Denver, Colorado, United States; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) controls the ball as Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) guards in the third quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
- The Denver Nuggets visit the LA Lakers on Saturday, March 2
- Saturday NBA odds favor Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets
- Read below for Nuggets vs Lakers predictions, odds and player props for betting
The Denver Nuggets (41-19) will visit the Los Angeles Lakers (33-28) on Saturday, March 2 at Crypto.com Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
The Lakers are a slight favorite at 1.5 points according to most sportsbooks. Some betting apps such as Bet365 now favor the Nuggets. The over/under is set at 228.5 points in total.
Let’s move on to our Nuggets vs. Lakers prediction, as we break down the odds and provide prop choices for players.
Nuggets vs. Lakers odds
| Team | Spread | Money line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Nuggets | +1.5 (-125) | -110 | Over 228.5 (-105) |
| Los Angeles Lakers | -1.5 (+105) | -110 | Under 228.5 (-115) |
In the Nuggets vs. Lakers odds, Denver is a +1.5 underdog at BetMGM. The moneyline is equal for both teams at -110, meaning they each have a 50% implied win probability.
Odds as of March 2, 2024 at BetMGM. If you’re looking to bet on Denver, you’ll want to do so as soon as possible. Some advanced sports bets now favor the Nuggets. Claim it BetMGM promo code to place your bet. If you are located in North Carolina, visit BetMGM North Carolina for a limited pre-registration offer.
History of the Nuggets vs. Lakers
The Nuggets have dominated the Lakers in recent years, winning seven straight games dating back to the 2020 playoffs, when Denver swept Los Angeles out of the bubble. The Nuggets are also 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
DEN-LA Recent Results
| Date | Far from home | Against the spread | OR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02/08/2024 | LAL106 – DEN 114 | DEN-3 | U233 |
| 10/24/2023 | DEN 119 – LAL107 | DEN-5 | U229.5 |
| 05/22/2023 | LAL111 – DEN 113 | DEN +3.5 | U225.5 |
| 05/20/2023 | LAL108 – DEN 119 | DEN +5.5 | O 222.5 |
| 05/18/2023 | DEN 108 – LAL103 | ALL +5.5 | U225 |
If you’re looking to bet on the Denver vs. LA over/under, consider that the total has been under in 14 of Denver’s last 18 games. It has also been conceded in four of the last five meetings between these two powers.
The nuggets crisscross
The Nuggets are currently riding a five-game winning streak, including consecutive wins over the Kings, Heat, Warriors, Mavericks and Timberwolves. Their defense has been excellent during this stretch, keeping their opponents under 100 points in the last two games.
Nikola Jokic continues to dominate with four straight triple-doubles before that streak ended in the final game. Jamal Murray suffered a sprained ankle last game and is questionable to play against the Lakers.
On average a triple-double throughout the month ???? https://t.co/YfSTUMcb3X pic.twitter.com/9QWlyofkla
-Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) March 1, 2024
With this recent streak, Jokic (25.8 ppg, 12.3 ppg, 9.3 ppg) has solidified himself as the favorite for a 3rd consecutive MVP title in the NBA MVP Odds. Michael Porter Jr. (16.1 points per game) and Aaron Gordon (13.9 points per game) round out Denver’s Big 3.
With Jamal Murray’s ankle uncertain, the Nuggets will need Michael Porter Jr. to continue his hot streak – he’s averaging 27.2 points on 55% shooting over the last five games.
The Nuggets have the 4th best net rating in the NBA (+5.9) and have played like true championship contenders even if they rarely get talked about. They go about their business quietly, content to let their game do the talking. Denver is 25-9 ATS this season, including 13-4 ATS on the road.
Lakers’ Lebron looking for milestone
The Lakers rallied to win nine of their last 12 games and get back into the playoff race in the West. They are coming off dramatic back-to-back wins over the Clippers and Wizards, showing effective execution late in games.
LeBron James spearheaded this resurgence, including scoring 19 points in the 4th quarter of a comeback win over the Clippers after facing a 21-point deficit. At 39 years old, James is on the verge of reaching an unprecedented milestone, just 9 points shy of 40,000 career points.
For the Lakers, no player has been more consistent lately than Anthony Davis. He has scored more than 40 points three times in the past month, scoring 55 points against Washington on February 26. Davis leads LA in scoring (25.1 points per game), rebounds (12.3 points per game) and blocks (2.4 points per game). His chemistry with LeBron in the pick-and-roll will be vital in countering Denver’s slow style.
Denver vs Lakers Player Accessories
NBA player accessories are available for the Nuggets vs Lakers matchup with sportsbooks offering odds for stars Niloa Jokic, LeBron James and more. On his special night, James is expected to record 25.5 points, with the -125 juice favoring the ‘over’.
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Aids | Three pointers made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikola Jokic | 27.5 (Ov -109 | Oun -125) | 12.5 (Ov -129 | A -106) | 9.5 (Ov -123 | Oun -111) | 0.5 (Ov -244 | A +172) |
| LeBron James | 25.5 (Ov -125 | A -109) | 6.5 (Ov -151 | A +110) | 7.5 (Ov -117 | Oun -117) | 2.5 (Ov +143 | One -199) |
| Anthony Davis | 24.5 (Ov -127 | A -108) | 12.5 (Ov -131 | Oun -104) | 2.5 (Ov +172 | One -244) | DISABLED |
| Jamal Murray | 21.5 (Ov -119 | Oun -115) | 3.5 (Ov -160 | A +116) | 6.5 (Ov -117 | A -117) | 2.5 (Ov -113 | Oun -121) |
| D’Angelo Russell | 17.5 (Ov -123 | Oun -111) | 2.5 (Ov -179 | A +129) | 5.5 (Ov -137 | A +100) | 2.5 (Ov -139 | A +102) |
| Michael Porter Jr. | 17.5 (Ov -119 | Oun -115) | 3.5 (Ov -166 | A +120) | 1.5 (Ov -109 | A -125) | 2.5 (Ov -127 | A -108) |
| Aaron Gordon | 15.5 (Ov -113 | Oun -121) | 6.5 (Ov -106 | A -129) | 3.5 (Ov +116 | Un -160) | 0.5 (Ov -117 | A -117) |
| Austin Reaves | 14.5 (Ov -123 | Oun -111) | 3.5 (Ov -142 | A +104) | 4.5 (Ov -151 | A +110) | 1.5 (Ov +100 | One -137) |
| Rui Hachimura | 11.5 (Ov -123 | Oun -111) | 3.5 (Ov -166 | A +120) | 0.5 (Ov -157 | A +114) | 1.5 (Ov +159 | One -224) |
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | 10.5 (Ov -101 | Oun -135) | 2.5 (Ov -111 | Oun -123) | 1.5 (Ov -194 | A +139) | 1.5 (Ov -119 | A -115) |
NBA player props from a variety of top-rated sports betting apps as of March 2.
If you like the Lakers to win on Saturday night, it’s probably due to the expectation of a monster night from LeBron James. Caesars Sportsbooks might have the best value for this outcome, as they are offering a bet boosting the Lakers to win and LeBron James to record over 24.5 points at odds of +200. Bet
here
.
Focusing on James tonight, we’re targeting the Nuggets in NBA player props, specifically Jokic. “Joker” has averaged 28.4 points per game in his last five games against the Lakers in Los Angeles, and FanDuel has his prop for Saturday as low as 26.5 (best value).
Nuggets vs Lakers Prediction
Based on recent head-to-head trends, the Nuggets compare extremely well to the Lakers. Their slow pace and defensive versatility stifle Los Angeles’ stars. During their seven-game winning streak against the Lakers, Denver held them to just 106 points per game on 43% shooting.
As LeBron continues history on the brink of 40,000 points, the Lakers could be distracted or emotionally exhausted after two straight dramatic victories. The Nuggets, meanwhile, are focused and ready to win another championship behind Nikola Jokic.
I’m taking the defending champions to grab a point and a half on the road. The Nuggets are clearly the superior team right now, playing championship-caliber basketball behind MVP favorite Jokic. The Lakers remain inconsistent despite James defying age. Expect Denver’s defense to disrupt Los Angeles’ stars down the stretch to cover that small gap.
DEN-LA choice:
Editor’s Note: Denver is no longer available as a spread underdog as of 3:30 p.m. ET. Our best choice on this game is the Nuggets to win directly on the moneyline (play to -120).
Brady Trettenero
NHL and NCAAF Editor-in-Chief
Brady is the NHL and college football editor at Sports Betting Dime, where he specializes in betting odds and data-driven analysis. Brady has more than 10 years of experience in sports media, with work published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.
