Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Prediction, Preview and Odds - 02/22/2025

Game Time: 8:30 pm ET, Saturday, February 22, 2025

Venue:  Ball Arena, Denver, CO

Where to Watch:  ABC, ESPN+

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Lakers +6.5, Nuggets -6.5; Over/Under:  239.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Lakers +6.5, Nuggets -6.5; Over/Under:  239.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Lakers +6.5, Nuggets -6.5; Over/Under:  239.5 points

Los Angeles Lakers:  33-21 (1st place, Pacific Division)

Denver Nuggets:  37-19 (2nd place, Northwest Division)

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Los Angeles Lakers:  7-3 last 10

Denver Nuggets:  9-1 last 10

The Lakers are entering this game with a 33-21 record overall this season and they are 14-14 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Portland Trail Blazers. LeBron James led the team in points in that game with 40 while Austin Reaves was next on the team with 32 points. Austin Reaves led the team in assists in that game with 7 while Rui Hachimura led the team in rebounds with 12. They were 47.6% from the field, 28.1% from 3-point range, and 92% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 112.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 112.1 PPG against them. The Lakers have an ATS record of 29-24-1 this season and their O/U record is 27-27.

The Nuggets are entering this game with a 37-19 record overall this season and they are 20-8 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 9 game winning streak with wins coming against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Charlotte Hornets, the New Orleans Pelicans twice in a row, the Orlando Magic, the Phoenix Suns, the Portland Trail Blazers twice in a row, and the Hornets again. Jamal Murray led the team in points in that game with 34 while Nikola Jokić was next on the team with 29 points. Nikola Jokić led the team in assists in that game with 9 while Nikola Jokić led the team in rebounds with 17. They were 50% from the field, 44.2% from 3-point range, and 75% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 121.7 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 115.8 PPG against them. The Nuggets have an ATS record of 29-26-1 this season and their O/U record is 35-21.

The current betting odds have the Nuggets listed as a 6.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Nuggets have looked great in their games this season with their 37-19 record overall which has them right near the top of the West with one of the best records in the entire NBA. They have also looked great on their home court this year with their 20-8 home record. Meanwhile, the Lakers have looked really good in their games this season with their 33-21 record overall which has them in the top half of the West and in a playoff spot. They haven't been a great road team though with their 14-14 road record. The Lakers were hot going into the All-Star break as they are 7-3 in their last 10 games, but they have already played back-to-back games since coming back from the break. They came out of the break losing to the Hornets at home and now they are coming off a win over the Trail Blazers in their last one. The Nuggets have also been really hot though as they are 9-1 in their last 10 games and have a ton of momentum on their side with 9 wins in a row now. The Nuggets struggled in the first half of the season as they were floating around right above .500, but they have been rolling over the last month and have climbed up to 2nd in the West. The Lakers have also been struggling more in their last few games as they try to fit Luka Doncic in the lineup, and the Nuggets can take advantage of that at home where they have been so good. The best way to place a bet here is on the Nuggets to cover the spread in this game. 

Lakers Nuggets Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Saturday, February 22, 2025 (8:30 pm ET start time) is Nuggets 122 Lakers 110.

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Los Angeles Lakers: 17-35 ATS off a road win. 17-30 ATS when playing their 3rd game in 4 days. 30-23 UNDER when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 70%). 17-10 UNDER on the road when playing 4 or less games in 10 days.

Denver Nuggets: 34-27 ATS against Pacific division opponents. 12-5 ATS at home after 3 or more consecutive overs. 37-23 UNDER against Pacific division opponents. 24-15 UNDER when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 70%).

Los Angeles Lakers:  J. Vanderbilt (PF) Day To Day - Foot. L. Dončić (PG) Day To Day - Injury Management. M. Kleber (PF) Out - Foot.

Denver Nuggets:  V. Čančar (PF) Out - Knee. P. Watson (SF) Out - Knee. D. Holmes (PF) Out For Season - Achilles.

"He really just defies anything that’s normal, and not just the physical feats and the plays. It’s the mentality." - JJ Redick on LeBron James after his team’s win against the Trail Blazers in their game on Thursday.

“It beats the alternative. That’s what it means. I would much rather win nine in a row than lose nine in a row.” - Michael Malone after his team’s win against the Hornets in their game on Thursday.

PG Gabe Vincent

SG Austin Reaves

SF Rui Hachimura

PF LeBron James

C Jaxson Hayes

PG Russell Westbrook

SG Jamal Murray

SF Michael Porter Jr.

PF Aaron Gordon

C Nikola Jokic

PPG: L. Dončić (26.5)

APG: L. James (8.9)

Reb/G: L. Dončić (8.1)

PPG: N. Jokić (29.7)

APG: N. Jokić (10.2)

Reb/G: N. Jokić (12.7)

Coaches:

Los Angeles Lakers: JJ Redick (1st season)

Denver Nuggets: Michael Malone (10th season)