The Denver Nuggets will look to overcome the odds as slight 1-point underdogs for Game 3 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday, beginning at 10:00 PM ET on TNT. The Nuggets hold a 2-0 series lead. The matchup has an over/under set at 217 points.
If you are looking to make an informed wager on Thursday’s game, see the best bets available for this matchup, in the article below (according to our computer predictions).
Ready to put your picks to the test? Sign up for DraftKings Sportsbook and bet on this matchup today!
Spread: Nuggets (+1) to Cover
- While DraftKings has the Lakers winning by one, the model has the Nuggets taking home the victory, with a considerable margin between the two spreads (3.2 points). Take the Nuggets.
- So far this season, Denver has compiled a 38-42-2 record against the spread.
- The Nuggets have been an underdog by 1 point or more 10 times this season, and covered the spread in five of those games.
- Los Angeles is 38-44-0 ATS this season.
- The Lakers have been favored by 1 point or more 46 times this season, and covered the spread in 20 of those matchups.
Think the Nuggets will cover? Sign up and bet with DraftKings Sportsbook.
Total: Over 217
- The model predicts a total (229.3 points) much higher than the one set by DraftKings for this matchup (217 points). Take the over.
- Los Angeles’ games have had more than 217 points scored on 68 occasions this year.
- Denver’s games have gone over 217 points on 54 occasions this season.
- The Lakers and their opponents have combined to hit the over 47 out of 82 times this season.
- A total of 35 Nuggets games this season have gone over the point total.
Will this matchup go over the total? Check out DraftKings Sportsbook for the latest odds and to get the best signup offer using our link!
Moneyline Winner: Nuggets (-105)
- Prediction: Nuggets 116, Lakers 114
- This season, Los Angeles has won 32 out of the 46 games, or 69.6%, in which it has been favored.
- Denver has been an underdog in 10 games this season and has come away with the win four times (40%) in those contests.
Which team do you think will end up on top? Sign up for DraftKings Sportsbook and make your pick!
D’Angelo Russell Points Prop: Under 17.5
- D’Angelo Russell averages 18.0 points, 6.3 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game.
- The 18.0 points Russell scores per game are 0.5 more than his over/under on Thursday.
- He is 35-for-62 at scoring more than his points prop this season.
- With 114.9 points scored per game and 109.6 points conceded, the Nuggets are 14th in the league offensively and sixth defensively.
Explore all available player props for D’Angelo Russell and other Lakers players in this game and sign up to place your bets with DraftKings Sportsbook.
Nikola Jokic Points Prop: Over 27.5
- On a per-game basis, Nikola Jokic gets the Nuggets 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds and 9.0 assists. He also averages 1.4 steals (seventh in NBA) and 0.9 blocked shots.
- The 27.5-point over/under for Jokic on Thursday is 1.1 higher than his scoring average.
- Jokic is 39-for-81 at going over his points prop this season.
- With 118.0 points per game on offense, the Lakers rank sixth in the NBA. Defensively, they surrender 117.4 points per contest, which ranks 23rd in the league.
Check out the prop bets available for Nikola Jokic and other Nuggets players in this game and sign up to place your bets with DraftKings Sportsbook.
All stats in this article refer to the 2023-24 regular season.
Not all offers available in all states, please visit DraftKings for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER.