Nuggets vs. Lakers: NBA Playoffs Game 1 Betting Preview, Tips and Picks – April 20, 2024

Written By PlayPicks Staff on April 17, 2024

The Los Angeles Lakers (47-35) are trying to prove the oddsmakers wrong as 6.5-point underdogs for Game 1 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs, and will face off against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on Saturday, tipping off at 8:30 PM ET on ABC. The matchup’s point total is 227.

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Nuggets vs. Lakers Betting Odds

Favorite Spread Total
Nuggets -6.5 227

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Injury Report as of April 20

Nuggets: Vlatko Cancar: Out (Knee), Collin Gillespie: Questionable (Knee)

Lakers: Christian Wood: Out (Knee), Jalen Hood-Schifino: Out (Back), Jarred Vanderbilt: Out (Foot), Anthony Davis: Probable (Back), LeBron James: Probable (Ankle), Cameron Reddish: Out (Ankle)

Computer Picks

Spread Pick Nuggets (-6.5)
Total Pick Over (227)

Predictions are calculated by a data-driven algorithm (raw power score) that ranks head-to-head matchup results within a closed network of games. Prediction confidence is determined by the delta between each team’s raw power score.

Nuggets vs. Lakers Stat Rankings

Nuggets Avg. (Rank) Lakers Avg. (Rank)
114.9 (14th) Points Scored 118 (6th)
109.6 (6th) Points Allowed 117.4 (23rd)
44.4 (7th) Rebounds 43.1 (18th)
10.7 (13th) Off. Rebounds 8.2 (30th)
11.7 (25th) 3pt Made 11.8 (24th)
29.5 (3rd) Assists 28.5 (5th)
11.8 (4th) Turnovers 13.4 (19th)

Best Betting Site for Nuggets vs. Lakers

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Nuggets Key Players

Name GP PTS REB ASST STL BLK 3PM
Nikola Jokic 79 26.4 12.4 9 1.4 0.9 1.1
Jamal Murray 59 21.2 4.1 6.5 1 0.7 2.5
Michael Porter Jr. 81 16.7 7 1.5 0.5 0.7 2.7
Aaron Gordon 73 13.9 6.5 3.5 0.8 0.6 0.5
Reggie Jackson 82 10.2 1.9 3.8 0.5 0.2 1.2

Lakers Key Players

Name GP PTS REB ASST STL BLK 3PM
LeBron James 71 25.7 7.3 8.3 1.3 0.5 2.1
Anthony Davis 76 24.7 12.6 3.5 1.2 2.3 0.4
D’Angelo Russell 76 18 3.1 6.3 0.9 0.5 3
Austin Reaves 82 15.9 4.3 5.5 0.8 0.3 1.9
Rui Hachimura 68 13.6 4.3 1.2 0.6 0.4 1.4

Betting Trends

  • The Nuggets have 38 wins in 82 games against the spread this year.
  • Denver’s ATS record as 6.5-point favorites or more is 20-19-1.
  • The Nuggets have seen 35 of their 82 games go over the point total.
  • Denver’s games have had more than 227 points scored on 33 occasions this year.
  • The over/under for this game is 227 points, 2.5 more than the average point total for Nuggets games this season.
  • Against the spread, the Lakers are 38-44-0 this year.
  • Los Angeles’ ATS record as a 6.5-point underdog or more is 3-1.
  • Out of 82 Lakers games so far this season, 47 have gone over the total.
  • So far this season, 56 Los Angeles’ games have featured over 227 points scored.
  • The average total for Lakers games is 235.5 points, which is 8.5 more than this game’s over/under.

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