Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Prediction, 9/24/2020 NBA Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets

Date: Thursday, September 24, 2020

Location: AdventHealth Arena in Orlando, Florida

TV: TNT

Odds/Point Spread: Los Angeles -6.5

Total/Over-Under: 215.5

AdventHealth Arena is the site where Jamal Murray and the Denver Nuggets will take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. Denver opens this contest as 6.5-point dogs. The over/under has been set at 215.5.

The Nuggets won Game 3 by a score of 114-106 to cut the Lakers series lead to 2-1. Jamal Murray paced Denver with 28 points, 12 assists, and 8 boards. The Nuggets were able to hang on after building a 20 point lead in the 3rd quarter, which was L.A.'s largest deficit in this years playoffs. Even though the Lakers outscored Denver by 10 in the 4th, the 3rd quarter was just too much to overcome. LeBron James led the Lakers with 30 pts, 11 dimes, and 10 boards, completing his 26th career playoff triple-double.

The Lakers cover 53.0% of the time, having gone 44-39-1 ATS. Denver is covering 51.8% of the time, going 44-41-5 against the spread.

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

9/22/2020 Dion Waiters SG Groin Expected to be out until at least Sep 24

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

9/21/2020 Vlatko Cancar SF Foot Expected to be out until at least Oct 1
8/28/2020 Will Barton SF Knee Expected to be out until at least Oct 1

Player Spotlight

Anthony Davis comes into this contest averaging 26.1 points per game while playing 34.4 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 9.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 85%. LeBron James averages 25.3 points per game in 34.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 10.2 assists per contest and 7.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 49% for the year while his free throw percentage is 69%.

Player Spotlight

Jamal Murray averages 18.5 points per game while playing 32.3 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.0 rebounds per game and has 4.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 88%. Nikola Jokic averages 19.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 32.0 minutes per contest. He also averages 9.7 rebounds per contest and 7.0 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 53% and his free throw percentage is 82%.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles averages 113.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 5.8 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 1st. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 22nd in the league. They average 45.7 rebounds per game and 25.4 assists per game, which ranks them 9th and 10th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 9th with 15.2 per game. The Lakers allow 107.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 4th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 8th and 8th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.3 rebounds a game which ranks 2nd and they give up 23.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 7th place in the league. They force 15.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 26th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver is 19th in the league with 111.3 points per game this year. They are 4th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 2.1. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 15th in the NBA. They are 20th in the league in rebounding with 44.1 boards per game, and 4th in assists per contest with 26.7. The Nuggets are 24th in turnovers per game with 13.8. The Nuggets surrender 109.2 points per contest, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 17th and 17th in those defensive statistics. They rank 24th with 25.4 assists allowed per contest and 4th with 42.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Nuggets are 14th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per game.

Advanced Statistics

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

Advanced Statistics

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

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

Tony's Pick: Take Los Angeles -6.5

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