Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction, 9/18/2020 NBA Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers

Date: Friday, September 18, 2020

Location: AdventHealth Arena in Orlando, Florida

TV: TNT

Odds/Point Spread: Los Angeles -6.5

Total/Over-Under: 211.5

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers play the Denver Nuggets at AdventHealth Arena on Friday in Game 1 of their series. The odds on this matchup have Los Angeles as 6.5-point favorites. The over/under has been set at 211.5.

The Nuggets are coming off a shocking 7 game series win over the Los Angeles Clippers. They were down 3-1 in the series and were able to win the next 3 to advance to the Western Conference Finals. The Lakers were able to finish off the Rockets in 5 games, so they will be the more well rested team for Game 1.

The Nuggets are covering 51.2% of the time, having gone 42-40-5 ATS. Los Angeles is covering 53.8% of the time, going 43-37-1 against the spread.

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

9/16/2020 Vlatko Cancar SF Foot Expected to be out until at least Sep 20
8/28/2020 Will Barton SF Knee Expected to be out until at least Oct 1

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

9/13/2020 Dion Waiters SG Groin Game Time Decision

Player Spotlight

Jamal Murray comes into this game averaging 18.5 points per contest while playing 32.3 minutes per night this year. He grabs 4.0 rebounds per contest and distributes 4.8 assists per game. His FG percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is 88%. Nikola Jokic averages 19.9 points per contest in 32.0 minutes per game. He averages 7.0 assists per game and 9.7 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 53% for the season while his free throw percentage is 82%.

Player Spotlight

LeBron James scores 25.3 points per contest while playing 34.6 minutes per game. He hauls in 7.8 rebounds per contest and has 10.2 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is at 69%. Anthony Davis averages 26.1 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 34.4 minutes per game. He also brings in 9.3 rebounds per game and has 3.2 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is 85%.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver averages 111.3 points per contest, which is 19th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 2.1 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a unit, which has them ranked 4th. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 15th in the NBA. They average 44.1 boards per contest and 26.7 assists per game, which ranks them 20th and 4th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 24th with 13.8 per game. The Nuggets allow 109.2 points per contest, which is 11th in the NBA. They also surrender a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 17th and 17th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 42.6 rebounds a game which ranks 4th, and they allow 25.4 assists per game which puts them in 24th place in the league. They force 14.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 14th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles is 11th in the NBA with 113.4 points per contest this season. They are 1st in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 5.79. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 22nd in the league. They are 9th in the NBA in rebounding with 45.7 boards per contest and 10th in assists per game with 25.4. The Lakers are 9th in turnovers per contest with 15.2. The Lakers give up 107.6 points per game, which ranks them 4th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 8th and 8th in those defensive statistics. They rank 7th with 23.4 dimes allowed per game and 2nd with 42.3 boards surrendered per contest. The Lakers are 26th in the league in forcing turnovers with 15.9 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Nuggets are 5th in the league in defensive rating with 111, and their offensive rating of 113.1 is ranked 16th. They are 29th in the NBA in pace with 97.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 9th. As a unit they are 15th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 27th in the NBA. Denver is 23rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 14th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Los Angeles is 9th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 24th in the NBA. The Lakers are 11th in the league in defensive rating with 106.3, and their offensive rating of 112 is ranked 3rd. They are 12th in the NBA in pace with 100.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 5th. As a unit they are 10th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 23rd in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Los Angeles -6.5

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