by Rod Pearson
Friday, Apr 26, 2024
Game Time: 8:30 pm ET, Saturday, April 27, 2024
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Where to Watch: ABC
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Nuggets -3, Lakers +3; Over/Under: 216.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Nuggets -3, Lakers +3; Over/Under: 216.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Nuggets -3.5, Lakers +3.5; Over/Under: 216.5 points
Season Record
Denver Nuggets: 57-25 (2nd place, Northwest Division)
Los Angeles Lakers: 47-35 (3rd place, Pacific Division)
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Recent Form
Denver Nuggets: 8-2 last 10
Los Angeles Lakers: 5-5 last 10
Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers Preview and Analysis
The Nuggets are entering this game with a 57-25 record overall to finish the regular season and they were 24-17 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 4 game winning streak with wins coming against the Memphis Grizzlies and the Los Angeles Lakers in their last 3 games. In their last game against the Lakers in game 3 of this series, Aaron Gordon led the team in points in that game with 29 while Nikola Jokić was next on the team with 24 points. Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray each led the team in assists in that game with 9 while Nikola Jokić and Aaron Gordon each led the team in rebounds with 15. They were 48.9% from the field, 17.9% from 3-point range, and 86.4% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 114.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 109.6 PPG against them. The Nuggets have an ATS record of 40-43-2 this season and their O/U record is 35-50.
The Lakers are entering this game with a 47-35 record overall to finish the regular season and they were 28-14 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 3 game losing streak with losses coming against the Denver Nuggets in their last 3 games. In their last game against the Nuggets in game 3 of this series, Anthony Davis led the team in points in that game with 33 while LeBron James was next on the team with 26 points. LeBron James led the team in assists in that game with 9 while Anthony Davis led the team in rebounds with 15. They were 48.9% from the field, 18.5% from 3-point range, and 70.6% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 118 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 117.4 PPG against them. The Lakers have an ATS record of 41-46 this season and their O/U record is 47-39-1.
Nuggets vs Lakers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Nuggets listed as a 3 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. This is game 4 of a 7 game series between the 2nd seeded Nuggets and the 7th seeded Lakers for Round 1 of the NBA Western Conference playoffs. The Nuggets have a 3-0 series lead after winning game 3 of this series on the road. The Nuggets have looked great in this series, they have been behind by double digits in every game of this series yet they still have a 3-0 series lead. They have also owned the Lakers over the last year, not losing a single game to them during the regular season and also sweeping them in the Western Conference Finals of the NBA playoffs last season. The Lakers have looked a lot better on their home court this season but once again, they found a way to blow their lead in the 2nd half and they just haven't had an answer for the Nuggets all year. Anthony Davis and LeBron James have both been putting up the points in this series too, but it just isn't enough to beat the defending NBA champions. The Nuggets are on the verge of sweeping the Lakers again in this series and even though they will likely get the Lakers best effort here, the Lakers already brought their best effort in the games of this series and it still hasn't been enough to rip a game away. The Nuggets are the better team in every way here and they know they can sweep the Lakers again since they have beaten them in every meeting since the playoff series last year. The best way to place a bet here is on the Nuggets to cover the spread in this game.
Nuggets Lakers Prediction: Our NBA Pick for Saturday, April 27, 2024 (8:30 pm ET start time) is Nuggets 116 Lakers 106.
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NBA Betting Trends
Denver Nuggets: 3-8 ATS after 4 or more consecutive wins. 17-23 ATS in road games. 14-7 UNDER as a road favorite of 6 points or less. 28-18 UNDER after 1 or more consecutive unders. 8-3 UNDER after 4 or more consecutive wins.
Los Angeles Lakers: 25-18 ATS after a game where they failed to cover the spread. 31-21 ATS after scoring 105 points or less. 8-4 UNDER revenging a straight up loss vs opponent as a favorite. 24-18 UNDER as a # 7 seed in the playoffs.
Key Injuries
Denver Nuggets: C. Gillespie (PG) Ques Sat - Knee. R. Jackson (PG) Ques Sat - Ankle. V. Cancar (SF) out for season - Knee.
Los Angeles Lakers: C. Reddish (SF) Ques Sat - Ankle. J. Vanderbilt (SF) Early May - Foot. J. Hood-Schifino (PG) Out indefinitely - Back. C. Wood (PF) Out indefinitely - Knee.
Notable Quotes
“I think every game is tougher and tougher. They were up 20 in Denver, they were up 12 today in the first half, but I think it’s really hard to play against the same team over and over again. ... That’s a really tough team, and every game is really interesting and tough to win. Every game we’re playing catch-up, and they’re really talented. It’s really hard to close a team out.” - Nikola Jokic after their win against the LA Lakers in game 3 of this series on Thursday.
“They have a championship confidence. That starting group has been together for a long time. Their net rating is off the charts as a starting group. They had guys step up and make plays.” - Darvin Ham after his team’s loss against the Nuggets in game 3 of this series on Thursday.
Starting Lineups
Denver Nuggets
PG Jamal Murray
SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
SF Michael Porter Jr.
PF Aaron Gordon
C Nikola Jokic
Los Angeles Lakers
PG D'Angelo Russell
SG Austin Reaves
SF LeBron James
PF Rui Hachimura
C Anthony Davis
Statistical Leaders
Denver Nuggets
PPG: N. Jokic (26.4)
APG: N. Jokic (9)
Reb/G: N. Jokic (12.4)
Los Angeles Lakers
PPG: L. James (25.7)
APG: L. James (8.3)
Reb/G: A. Davis (12.6)
Coaches:
Denver Nuggets: Michael Malone (9th season)
Los Angeles Lakers: Darvin Ham (2nd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
