Lakers in a Must-Win Situation | Nuggets vs. Lakers | OSB
NBA Playoffs: (2)Denver Nuggets at (7)Los Angeles Lakers
By Sam Batz
When: Thursday, April 25th at 10:00 PM EST
Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Watch On: TNT
Matchup: Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The Denver Nuggets have a 2-0 lead over the Los Angeles Lakers, but with the series shifting to LA, will the momentum shift as well? Short answer is: unlikely, because the Nuggets may be the No. 2 seed, but the defending champs remain the unofficially best team in the Western Conference. The Lakers have a much better chance of snagging their first win of the series at home, as the Nuggets are nearly unbeatable in Denver, but after a thrilling Game 2, which ended in a Jamal Murray buzzer beater, Denver has all the momentum. It was a heartbreaking loss for the Lakers, who not only lost on the final shot of the game, but were in that position because they blew a 20-point lead. The Lakers need to win Game 3 or the series is essentially over, but beating Denver is no easy task, and LA is winless against the Nuggets this season.
Predicting the NBA playoffs is never simple, but we are dedicated to the cause. Here we are highlighting the Nuggets vs. Lakers, but we cover every team in every game. To learn more about paid picks, predictions, and props from across the NBA, visit us at OSB or follow us on Instagram, where we release free picks daily.
Odds can change quickly, but stay up-to-date by visiting OSB’s odds page, where you’ll find the latest spreads, money lines, and O/U totals. Continue on for our Nuggets vs. Lakers Game 3 predictions, which includes stats, scores, and betting advice to help you navigate the odds.
Nuggets vs. Lakers Odds
Team | Spread | Total (O/U) | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
Denver Nuggets | -1.0 (-110) | Ov 216 (-115) | -110 |
Los Angeles Lakers | +1.0 (-110) | Un 216 (-105) | -110 |
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Nuggets vs. Lakers Betting Trends
Denver Nuggets
- 39-43-2 ATS
- 17-23-1 ATS on the road
- 35-48-1 O/U record
- 16-24-1 O/U record on the road
- 55-19 as FAVORITES
- 21-11 as FAVORITES on the road
Los Angeles Lakers
- 40-45 ATS
- 20-22 ATS at home
- 47-37-1 O/U record
- 21-20-1 O/U record at home
- 15-23 as UNDERDOGS
- 5-7 as UNDERDOGS at home
Nuggets vs. Lakers Stats
Denver Nuggets (57-25) 114.9 109.6 +5.3 49.6% 37.4% 44.4 11.8 117.8 (5th) 112.3 (8th) 33-8 (80.5%) 24-17 (58.5%) | Stat Type Points/Game Opponent Points/Game Point Diff Field Goal % Three-Point % Rebounds/Game Turnovers/Game Offensive Rating Defensive Rating Home Record (Win-Rate) Away Record (Win-Rate) | Los Angeles Lakers (47-35) 118.0 117.4 +0.6 49.9% 37.7% 43.1 13.4 115.4 (15th) 114.8 (17th) 28-14 (66.7%) 19-21 (47.5%) |
Nuggets vs. Lakers Head-to-Head History
- Regular & Post Season Games: 231 (1976-2024)
- All-time Series: Lakers: 138 wins; Nuggets: 93 wins
- Season Series: Nuggets lead 3-0
- Playoff Series: Nuggets 2-0
Thursday’s Game 3 between the Nuggets and Lakers will be the 232nd all-time matchup between the two Western Conference rivals. The Lakers lead the all-time series with 138 wins to Denver’s 93, but going back to last year’s Western Conference Finals, the Nuggets have won 9 consecutive games against the Lakers. LA looked ready to snap that streak in Game 2, but the Nuggets came storming back from 20 points down to secure a comfortable 2-0 lead over the Lakers.
Lakers vs. Nuggets Best Player Prop
Austin Reaves; Over 1.5 threes (-145)
Lakers shooting guard Austin Reaves needs to have a big game if they’re going to beat Denver in Game 3. Against the Nuggets, Reaves averages 16 points per game and shoots 40% from 3-point range. He struggled in Game 2, recording just 9 points on just 1-5 from three, but now the Lakers are back home. Reaves shoots 39.1% from three at home, averaging 1.8 3PM and 4.7 3PA, and this season he played 47 games with 2+ three-pointers (57.3%). Reaves has the green light from long range, and I’m expecting a bounce back performance in Game 3, so take the over on Austin Reaves’ 1.5 threes player prop.
Nuggets vs. Lakers Prediction
Take the Denver Nuggets to win the game and cover the spread. The Nuggets have the Lakers number, winning 9-straight going back to last season’s Western Conference Final. After LA’s demoralizing defeat in Game, the Lakers have lost all momentum. The Nuggets are too well-rounded, play with unparalleled team chemistry, and are led by arguably the best player in the NBA, Nikola Jokic. Jokic is tearing the Lakers apart, averaging 29.5 points, 16 rebounds, and 8.5 assists over the first two games, and LA doesn’t have an answer for him.
Nuggets vs. Lakers predictions:
- Moneyline Pick: Denver Nuggets (-110)
If you take the Nuggets Moneyline (-110): You risk $110 to win $100, for a total payout of $210, if the Nuggets win straight up.
- ATS Pick: Denver Nuggets (-1.0)
If you take the Nuggets to Cover the -1.0 Spread (-110): You risk $110 to win $100, for a total payout of $210, if the Nuggets win the game by more than 1 point.
- O/U Pick: Over (216)
If you take the Over on 216 total points (-115): You risk $115 to win $100, for a total payout of $215, if the Nuggets and Lakers combine for more than 216 points.
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