Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Lakers NBA Picks & Predictions 3/13/2018

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Staples Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Denver Nuggets travel to Staples Center to play the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Denver as 2 point favorites.

The Nuggets head into this matchup with a mark of 37-30. They are 4th in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 1.3 as they are averaging 109.2 points per contest while giving up 107.9 per game. The Lakers have an overall mark of 30-36. They currently are 3rd in the Pacific Division. They are averaging 108.7 points per contest and giving up 110.2, which is a point differential of -1.5.

Valuable Denver Nuggets Betting Trends

The Denver Nuggets are 31-33-3 against the spread

The Denver Nuggets are 34-33-0 against the over/under

Important Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Lakers are 36-30-0 against the spread

The Los Angeles Lakers are 36-29-1 against the over/under

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

1/26/2018 Tyler Lydon PF Knee Expected to be out until at least May 25

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

3/12/2018 Channing Frye C Abdomen Game Time Decision
3/11/2018 Brandon Ingram SF Groin Expected to be out until at least Mar 16
3/2/2018 Josh Hart SG Hand Expected to be out until at least Mar 30

Player Spotlight

Gary Harris comes into this contest averaging 17.8 points per game while playing 35 minutes per night so far this season for the Nuggets. He pulls down 2.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is currently at 83%. Nikola Jokic averages 17.2 points per game in 31.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 6.1 assists per contest and 10.4 rebounds per game for Denver. His field goal percentage is 50% for the year while his free throw percentage is 84%.

Player Spotlight

Julius Randle averages 15.5 points per game while playing 25.6 minutes per contest this year for the Lakers. He grabs 7.7 rebounds per game and has 2.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 57% and his free throw percentage currently is at 71%. Kyle Kuzma averages 15.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30 minutes per contest. He also averages 6 rebounds per contest and 1.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 70%.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver averages 109.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 8th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 1.34 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 7th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 8th in the league. They average 44.2 rebounds per game and 24.9 assists per game, which ranks them 9th and 4th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 7th with 15.1 per game. The Nuggets allow 107.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 21st in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 30th and 26th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41 rebounds a game which ranks 1st and they give up 24.5 assists per contest, which puts them in 25th place in the league. They force 14.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 12th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles is 9th in the league with 108.7 points per game this year. They are 14th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -1.5. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 29th in the NBA. They are 2nd in the league in rebounding with 46.4 boards per game, and 6th in assists per contest with 24. The Lakers are 2nd in turnovers per game with 15.8. The Lakers surrender 110.2 points per contest, which ranks them 28th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 10th and 6th in those defensive statistics. They rank 18th with 23.4 assists allowed per contest and 24th with 44.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Lakers are 19th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.7 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Nuggets are 5th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112.1, and their defensive rating of 110.7 is ranked 7th. In terms of pace they are 15th in the league with 97 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 6th. As a team they are 6th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 10th in the league. Denver is 9th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 2nd in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Los Angeles is 6th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 21st in the NBA. The Lakers are 23rd in the league in defensive rating with 108.1, and their offensive rating of 106.6 is ranked 18th. They are 1st in the NBA in pace with 100.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 17th. As a unit they are 19th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shot attempts, ranking 19th in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Los Angeles +2

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