Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers - 12/22/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers

Date: Sunday, December 22, 2019

Location: Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA

TV: NBA TV

Odds/Point Spread: Los Angeles -6.5

Total/Over-Under: 207.5

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers (24-5, 1st in the Pacific Division) host the Denver Nuggets (19-8, 1st in the Northwest Division) at Staples Center on Sunday, December 22, 2019. The spread on this matchup has Los Angeles as 6.5 point favorites. The over/under opens at 207.5.

The Nuggets cover the spread 45.8% of the time, having gone 11-13-3 ATS. Los Angeles is covering 55.2% of the time, going 16-13-0 against the spread.

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

12/18/2019 Kyle Kuzma PF Ankle Expected to be out until at least Dec 22
8/15/2019 DeMarcus Cousins C Knee Expected to be out until at least May 15

Player Spotlight

Jamal Murray comes into this contest averaging 17.9 points per game while playing 31.9 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 90%. Nikola Jokic averages 17.3 points per game in 31.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 6.8 assists per contest and 10.1 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 49% for the year while his free throw percentage is 79%.

Player Spotlight

LeBron James averages 25.8 points per game while playing 34.8 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 7.5 rebounds per game and has 10.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is at 68%. Anthony Davis averages 27.7 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.0 minutes per contest. He also averages 9.4 rebounds per contest and 3.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver averages 106.9 points per contest this season, which ranks them 23rd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 5.1 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 17th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 16th in the league. They average 46.1 rebounds per game and 26.4 assists per game, which ranks them 10th and 4th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 24th with 14.0 per game. The Nuggets allow 101.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 1st in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 30% average from behind the arc, ranking them 7th and 1st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.1 rebounds a game which ranks 8th and they give up 23.5 assists per contest, which puts them in 11th place in the league. They force 14.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 9th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles is 10th in the league with 112.6 points per game this year. They are 2nd in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 8.4. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 14th in the NBA. They are 14th in the league in rebounding with 45.5 boards per game, and 6th in assists per contest with 26.2. The Lakers are 14th in turnovers per game with 15.3. The Lakers surrender 104.1 points per contest, which ranks them 3rd in the NBA. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 8th and 7th in those defensive statistics. They rank 8th with 22.9 assists allowed per contest and 2nd with 41.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Lakers are 26th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16.3 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Nuggets are 18th in the league in defensive rating with 103.3, and their offensive rating of 108.5 is ranked 2nd. They are 29th in the NBA in pace with 97.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 21st. As a unit they are 25th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 27th in the NBA. Denver is 22nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 28th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Los Angeles is 14th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 23rd in the NBA. The Lakers are 5th in the league in defensive rating with 103.3, and their offensive rating of 111.7 is ranked 3rd. They are 16th in the NBA in pace with 100.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 4th. As a unit they are 6th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 24th in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Denver +6.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here