The LeBron James era in Los Angeles has gotten off to a slow start. The Lakers have lost three consecutive games to open up the regular season. They will look to get their first win at home against the Denver Nuggets this week.
It doesn’t help that Los Angeles will be without point guard Rajon Rondo and forward Brandon Ingram. They continue to serve suspensions from a fight with Rockets guard Chris Paul in the second game of the year.
The Nuggets have played great early on but tend to be much better at home than on the road. This is an interesting matchup and one the Lakers would like to win to avoid falling into an early hole as they hope to finish with one of the top seeds in the Western Conference.
This NBA basketball game between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers will be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California at 10:25 p.m ET on Thursday, October 25th, 2018. The game will be nationally televised on TNT.
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Odds Analysis
Denver has started the season 4-0, with three of those wins coming at home. The Nuggets even have a win over the Warriors in that span, which must be a huge confidence boost for the team. The Lakers have fallen to the Trail Blazers, Rockets and Spurs on the season. The last loss came by only one point to San Antonio.
Even though the teams’ records couldn’t be any more different, it’s still early and the oddsmakers won’t put a ton of stock in the starts. The spread could be pretty small one way or the other but possibly even a pick ‘em in NBA gambling.
Key Stat
13.2 -- That’s Denver’s average margin of victory in their four games, which results in the second-best point-differential in the NBA so far behind only the Pelicans. Denver barely missed out on a playoff spot last season but is playing like a team that will definitely be among the top eight this year.
The Nuggets are led by Nikola Jokic, who has averaged 26.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.67 steals per contest. He is shooting 63 percent from the field and even 50 percent from three-point range. The elevation of Jokic to a superstar has been a huge asset in Denver’s hot start.
Player To Watch
Kyle Kuzma -- The Lakers forward is expected to start in place of Ingram. He has played well this season, averaging 21.0 points and 5.0 rebounds. Kuzma is second on the team in scoring on the year behind James. The Lakers have so many new parts that they are trying to figure out how all of them mesh together.
Kuzma is hoping to become a key cog of that. He is among the young and talented players on the team alongside Ingram and Lonzo Ball. James is going to lead the way in this one but he needs some sidekicks. If Kuzma steps up it will give Los Angeles a shot at pulling out the victory.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Nuggets look like they are improved but the road woes from a season ago can’t be ignored. While the Lakers are winless they still have talent and have played a tough schedule. Look for Los Angeles to knock off Denver. However, it should stay close throughout as these teams will go shot for shot.
It should be a high-scoring affair and the “over” is a possibility depending on where the scoring total comes out in NBA gambling.
NBA ATS Pick: Los Angeles Lakers 113, Denver Nuggets 111
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