The Denver Nuggets (38-16) will be at home in the Pepsi Center when they go head-to-head against the Los Angeles Lakers (40-12). The game starts at 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, and will air on ESPN.
Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets ATS Odds
Both teams covered as favorites in their last outing. The Nuggets (6.5-point favorites) defeated the San Antonio Spurs 127-120, while the Lakers (13.5-point favorites) beat the Phoenix Suns 125-100. The Denver game finished 31 points over the projected point total of 216, while the Los Angeles game went 5.5 points under the projected point total of 230.5.
The Lakers, who came into the game averaging an offensive rebounding percentage of 24.9, had a fantastic mark of 38.1 and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.593 (above their season average of 0.550). Meanwhile, Denver’s 0.675 effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over San Antonio, who had a rate of 0.576. The Nuggets’ mark was above their season average of 0.522. Nikola Jokic had a good outing for Denver, contributing 19 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds. Anthony Davis, meanwhile played a key role for Los Angeles with 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
The Nuggets evened the season series at one with a 128-104 blowout victory in their most recent contest. Davis finished with 32 points and 11 rebounds. The Nuggets’ 7.1 turnover percentage was their biggest strength over the Lakers, who had a rate of 17.0. Denver covered as a 3-point underdog and the two teams combined to put up 232 points, which was well over the projected point total of 208.5.
Vegas is extremely precise when predicting totals of Lakers games, with an even split between overs and unders. Los Angeles comes into the game with records of 40-12 straight up (SU) and 27-24-1 against the spread (ATS).
Games involving the Nuggets have a tendency to finish under the projected point total (55.6 percent). Additionally, Denver owns records of 38-16 SU and 25-23-6 ATS.
From an effective field goal percentage perspective, Los Angeles figures to have a considerable edge. The elite Lakers offense ranks third in the league in that metric at 0.551, while the porous Denver defense is ranked 14th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.521).
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets Pick
NBA Pick: SU Winner – Lakers, ATS Winner – Lakers, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Lakers rank first in second chance points per game (15.0) while the Nuggets rank fifth in second chance points allowed per game (12.0).
- Denver ranks eighth in fast break points allowed per game (12.5) while Los Angeles ranks 29th (16.3).
- The Lakers rank first in blocks per game (6.9) while the Nuggets rank 16th (4.8).
- Denver averages 8.0 steals per game, which ranks 10th in the NBA. Los Angeles ranks 24th in steals allowed per game (8.2).
- Los Angeles ranks first in rebounds allowed per game (41.6) while Denver ranks sixth (43.2).
- The Lakers average 26.3 assists per game, which ranks fourth in the league. The Nuggets rank 21st in assists allowed per game (24.7).
- The Lakers rank third in points off turnovers per game (18.7) while the Nuggets rank 15th (16.6).
- Los Angeles ranks 24th in three pointers attempted per game (30.9) while Denver ranks 26th (30.7).
- Los Angeles averages 53.5 points in the paint per game, which ranks second in the league. Denver ranks 18th in points allowed in the paint per game (49.1).
- When holding opponents under 100 points, Los Angeles is 15-0 and Denver is 13-1.
- In games where they score above 100 points, the Nuggets are 35-11 and the Lakers are 36-11.
- Los Angeles is 14-13 ATS on the road, while Denver is 12-12-3 ATS at home.
- In 27 road games, the Lakers have 15 overs and 12 unders.
- The Nuggets have 16 unders and 11 overs in 27 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- The Nuggets are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Lakers are 3-2.
- In their last five games, Denver has 4 overs and 1 under, while Los Angeles has 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Nuggets’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.4, up from 3.9 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Lakers have scored an average of 123.8 points per game (9.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 111.2 points per game (4.0 above their season average).
