Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 16/12/2022, 07:19  by Joseph King | Modified on 16/12/2022 at 07:19 in NBA Predictions

A Western Conference showdown in the NBA on Friday sees the Los Angeles Lakers taking on the Denver Nuggets at the Crypto.com Arena in downtown LA. The Lakers have now lost four of their last five games following a 122-118 overtime defeat to the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, dropping their record to 11 wins and 16 losses through the first third of the regular season. It’s a tough run for Los Angeles, who looked to have gotten themself back in the playoff picture after a stretch of eight wins from 10 in the weeks prior. They’ll look to get back on track at home against Denver, who have shot up to third-place in the Conference following a strong run of results. The Nuggets are riding a current three game winning streak after their 141-128 win over the Wizards on Wednesday, which also includes seven wins from the last 10. Denver has won 17 of their 27 games so far and trail the first-place Grizzlies by just 1.5 games in the standings. 

The bookmakers have the Nuggets as slim road favorites here at -1.5. Denver has won nine of their 16 away trips so far this season although are only 1-2 in their last three road games. The Lakers, on the other hand, have won six of their 13 home games so far and are playing the second of a three game stretch at the Crypto.com Arena. Los Angeles went 3-3 on their recent six-game road trip, returning home with a gritty but ultimately fruitless performance against the NBA’s best team at the moment in the 22-7 Boston Celtics. LA almost pulled out the victory and there will be many positives that the team should take from that matchup. That puts the Lakers in a pretty good spot ahead of this game and we should expect them to come out with another strong performance in front of the home fans.