The Lakers, still desperately trying to overtake the Clippers in the Pacific standings, kick start a six game road swing this evening against the surging Nuggets. Tonight’s contest, which will be broadcast live on ESPN, is scheduled for a 10:30pm ET tip at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NBA Odds have the hosting Nuggets listed as a -4 against the spread home favorite and the game total set at 196.5 points.
Just one game back of the Clippers in the division standings, Los Angeles probably would have preferred to stay at the STAPLES Center for the next week or so. No such luck for the Lakers, though, as they embark on a six game road swing tonight that includes stops in Denver, Utah, Boston, and New York.
At least the Lakers have something to feel good about over the last week, recording wins against the Clippers, Timberwolves, and Bobcats. Okay, not murderer’s row, but Los Angeles had dropped three straight headed into last Wednesday’s big showdown with Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and company.
The Lakers, which are a meager 2-7 on the road this season, will need a certain measure of confidence if they hope to knock off Denver this evening as the Pepsi Center has been a house of horrors for Kobe Bryant and his cohorts. Los Angeles has lost five of its last six regular season games against the Nuggets in Denver and it will most certainly have its hands full trying to beat George Karl’s current squad there tonight.
Denver dropped back-to-back games on January 29th and 31st (Clippers and Grizzlies), but it has won seven of its last nine and, at 15-7 overall, trails Northwest leader Oklahoma State by just 2.5 games. The Nuggets also ended that brief two game skid last night with a resounding 112-91 smashing of the Clippers at the Pepsi Center.
The Nuggets shot an astounding 53.4 percent from the field while knocking down 12 of their 21 attempts from beyond the arc in the easy victory. Five Denver players scored in double figures, led by small forward Danilo Gallinari, who was a perfect 5-for-5 from three point range.
The Lakers and Nuggets split their first two games this season with each winning at home; that trend should continue tonight with a Denver triumph.
NBA Predictions Betting Trend: The Nuggets are 9-1 against the spread and 10-0 straight up in their last 10 games as a home favorite with a total between 195 and 200.
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Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets 2012 NBA Predictions: Provided by SBG Global
Los Angeles Lakers +4 (-110), Over 196.5 (-110), +155 (Moneyline)
Denver Nuggets -4 (-110), Under 196.5 (-110), -175 (Moneyline)
