Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets NBA Picks & Predictions 12/2/2017

Saturday, December 2, 2017

Pepsi Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Los Angeles Lakers travel to Pepsi Center to play the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, December 2, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Denver as 2 point favorites.

The Lakers come into this game with an overall record of 8-13. They are 3rd in the Pacific Division. They currently have a point differential of -2.1 as they are averaging 106.6 points per game while giving up 108.7 per contest. The Nuggets have an overall mark of 12-9. They currently are 3rd in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 106.5 points per contest and giving up 106.6, which is a point differential of -0.1.

Valuable Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Lakers are 10-11-0 against the spread

The Los Angeles Lakers are 11-10-0 against the over/under

Important Denver Nuggets Betting Trends

The Denver Nuggets are 8-13-0 against the spread

The Denver Nuggets are 9-12-0 against the over/under

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

12/01/17 F Kyle Kuzma Back is "?" Saturday vs Denver
12/01/17 PG Lonzo Ball Head injured last game, is probable Saturday vs Denver

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

12/01/17 C Mason Plumlee Stinger is "?" Saturday vs LA Lakers
12/01/17 C Nikola Jokic Ankle left last game, is doubtful Saturday vs LA Lakers
12/01/17 F Wilson Chandler Back is "?" Saturday vs LA Lakers
11/21/17 F Paul Millsap Wrist is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Jordan Clarkson averages 15.4 points per game in 22.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3 assists per contest and 2.9 rebounds per game for Los Angeles. His field goal percentage is 49% for the year while his free throw percentage is 75%. Kyle Kuzma comes into this contest averaging 16.7 points per game while playing 31.3 minutes per night so far this season for the Lakers. He pulls down 6.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage is currently at 77%.

Player Spotlight

Nikola Jokic averages 15.5 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 29.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 10.6 rebounds per contest and 4.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is 86%. Will Barton averages 15.4 points per game while playing 29.6 minutes per contest this year for the Nuggets. He grabs 5 rebounds per game and has 2.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage currently is at 69%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Lakers allow 108.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 24th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 11th and 2nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.4 rebounds a game which ranks 26th, and they give up 22 assists per contest which puts them in 10th place in the league. They force 16.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 26th in the league. Los Angeles averages 106.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -2.1 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 14th. Behind the arc they shoot 32% which is good for 30th in the league. They average 46.1 rebounds per game and 23.1 assists per game, which ranks them 5th and 10th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 2nd with 17.2 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Nuggets surrender 106.6 points per contest, which ranks them 16th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 48% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 29th and 27th in those defensive statistics. They rank 27th with 24.6 assists allowed per contest, and 4th with 41 rebounds surrendered per game. The Nuggets are 23rd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16 per game this season. Denver is 14th in the league with 106.5 points per game this year. They are 12th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -0.1. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 13th in the NBA. They are 9th in the league in rebounding with 45.2 boards per game and 12th in assists per contest with 23. The Nuggets are 6th in turnovers per game with 16.5.

Advanced Statistics

The Lakers are 28th in the NBA in offensive rating with 102.2, and their defensive rating of 104.2 is ranked 24th. In terms of pace they are 1st in the league with 103.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 22nd. As a team they are 25th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shots, ranking 23rd in the league. Los Angeles is 5th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 22nd in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Denver is 7th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 55%, which is 2nd in the NBA. The Nuggets are 9th in the league in defensive rating with 108.9, and their offensive rating of 108.8 is ranked 10th. They are 13th in the NBA in pace with 97.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 10th. As a unit they are 14th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 16th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Lakers/Nuggets NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Denver -2

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