Event Details
- Date and Time: Wednesday, 19 March 2025, 8:00 PM PST
- Venue: Crypto.com arena, Los Angeles, USA
- Competition: NBA Regular Season Game
| Odds via 20Bet | |
| Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets | Wednesday, 19 March 2025, 8:00 PM PST |
| Los Angeles Lakers Odds | -109 |
| Denver Nuggets Odds | -101 |
| Over\Under | Over 232.5: -109 |
| Betting Bonus | Up to 100 $/€ |
Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Preview
Los Angeles Lakers Team News
The Los Angeles Lakers have found themselves on some hard times with LeBron James still out with a groin injury, having lost four in a row before managing to grab a dob against the Phoenix Suns. Luka Dončić has continued to play at a high level, albeit slightly worse than when he was on the Mavericks, but without a second option, their scoring has been limited.
When healthy, they look to be one of the stronger teams in the West, but with LeBron aging, questions of health are going to be a constant issue.
All angles: BEAUTIFUL lob@MichelobULTRA | #ULTRAMoment pic.twitter.com/cifho5tGEC
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 18, 2025
Simply put, Austin Reeves’ 19.6 points a game, and Rui Hachimura’s 13.3 points respectively, are not enough to push the team over the edge. So much of the Lakers offense has to go through Dončić, which causes some issues with double teams.
However, against middle-of-the-pack teams, they are competitive even without LeBron, which was showcased in their sizable win over the Spurs last game.
W at home ✅ @FifthThird | Victory Photo Bank pic.twitter.com/z9nWRmdQeJ
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 18, 2025
With the Nuggets also struggling with a series of injuries, the Lakers definitely have a shot at pushing their win streak to 3, but if Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray both play, they’ll be fighting an uphill battle.
Denver Nuggets Team News
The Denver Nuggets have been up and down over the month of March, dropping games to teams they should have beat while managing to grab sizable wins over real contenders like the OKC Thunder.
Nikola Jokić has continued to produce at an all-time level, as we’ve seen over the season, but the team has been plagued with some minor injuries, taking key players like Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon out of the rotation.
Injury Report ahead of tomorrow’s game against the Lakers:
PROBABLE:
Aaron Gordon (Right Calf Injury Management/Left Ankle Sprain)QUESTIONABLE:
Nikola Jokić (Right Elbow Contusion/Left Ankle Impingement)
Jamal Murray (Right Ankle Sprain)
Christian Braun (Left Foot… pic.twitter.com/o8mFhqEWyu— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) March 19, 2025
That being said, even with injury concerns, they did manage to grab a win from the Lakers just a few days ago on the 14th. They simply have no answer for Jokić, with no strong defensive big man to even slow him down; it’ll be a scoring clinic.
If they play like they did just a few days ago, they should have a solid shot at winning the game.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Prediction
- Pick: Denver Nuggets to win
- Odds: -101 (20Bet)
- Score prediction: Denver Nuggets 130 – 125 Los Angeles Lakers
Even with injuries plaguing the Nuggets roster, they are still the favorite going into Wednesday’s game, as many of their star players are still listed as “probable.” As long as Nikola Jokić plays, and either Aaron Gordon or Jamal Murray play, the game will tilt heavily in Denver’s favor.
As we mentioned, the Lakers have no answer for Jokić down low, with no strong big man to keep him in check. Jaxson Hayes will likely try his best to slow him down, but with a quick Sombor Shuffle or drop step, it’s unlikely he’ll be able to stop the seven-footer. And even if he does cut off the lane inside, he’s far too slow to keep up with the Joker up top, leaving the Lakers exposed to shots from beyond the arch.
Final Stats 📊
AR: 30 pts, 7 reb, 6 ast, 2 stl
Luka: 21 pts, 9 reb, 14 ast, 3 stl
Jordan: 15 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl
Dorian: 15 pts, 3 reb
DK: 13 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast
Gabe: 11 pts, 2 reb, 2 stl pic.twitter.com/6pccl2WyB0— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 18, 2025
Defensively, they should be in decent shape, especially if Aaron Gordon is playing, as the athletic guard can at least attempt to slow down Luka Dončić. On the inside, Jokić’s big body will do a great job at clogging the lane with some great help side defence if he gets beat.
That being said, if the Nuggets’ key players sit out, the Lakers will have an edge, taking home the win. Dončić has been known to put the team on his back time and time again; just last week he put on a scoring clinic in an unfortunate loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
The most points AG’s dropped in Nuggets threads 🎥 pic.twitter.com/M3UhxBqQCh
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) March 18, 2025
His scoring will continue to sit at an elite level, but without more production coming out of the bench and roleplayers, the Nuggets may be able to limit his scoring in the long run. With no big men inside pulling the big men from the lane, he may have to resort to more mid- and long-range shots.
30 & the W. pic.twitter.com/mah17wE90b
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 18, 2025
The Lakers definitely have a solid shot at winning this one, but it’s really looking like it could be up to the roleplayers on the Lakers, even with a 38-point game. He wasn’t able to will the team to victory just last week. The forwards need to be much bigger on the glass, and guards like D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reeves really need to step it up in crunch time.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Betting Tip
- Pick: Luka Dončić to score 31.5 or more
- Odds: -118
Without LeBron, Dončić’s scoring is poised to surge. He’ll be carrying the offensive load, as he has been over the last several games, with a seriously inflated usage rate. And if Aaron Gordon sits out, the Nuggets likely won’t have an answer for him beyond the arch.
- Pick: Nikola Jokic to score 27.5 or more
- Odds: -115 (20Bet)
Nikola Jokić, similarly to Dončić, will likely have a decently high usage rate against the Lakers, as he is the focal point of the Nugget’s offence, and without several of his teammates, his scoring load will be that much higher. The Lakers simply have no answer for him in the paint, and if they attempt to double or triple him, he’ll simply drop a dime or torch them from deep.
Where to Watch (USA, Canada)
- NBA League Pass,ESPN+, Fubo (USA)
- TSN,Sportsnet (Canada)
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