LA Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Prediction: Inconsistent Lakers take on the might of Jokic

NBA is on and this has been another fantastic season. As we are moving deeper, some teams have revealed that they have big grounds to cover while others have been steaming in for some brilliant action. Talking about covering big grounds, the LA Lakers are going to take on the Denver Nuggets in a classic Western Conference match-up.

The Lakers enter the fray after losing to the Celtics 118:122 in Overtime as Anthony Davis dipped 37 points. The Lakers erased a big half-time deficit, going on a 32-5 run but then blew a 13 points lead with around four minutes to go. Such losses are going to hurt the team which has now lost 16 and won just 11. They have lost four out of their five games despite having both James and Davis healthy.

The Lakers have been struggling from the three-point line and have made less than ten a game, being the worst in that regard. Defensively, they have given up almost 59% from inside the three-point line, which is also one of the worst efforts. Therefore, the Lakers have been struggling on both ends. Davis has been their MVP, LeBron is putting in the usual numbers, Westbrook provides a bench spark, Lonnie Walker has been a factor, but overall, the Lakers are struggling big-time.;

The Nuggets come into this game after defeating the Wizards 141:128 as Nikola Jokic had an incredible 43 points, 14 rebounds, and eight rebounds. The Nuggets are on a three-game winning streak and Jokic has scored 30 or more in three straight games. They have scored at least 115 in each of the last four games and their shootout style of basketball is paying dividends throughout the season.

This is a team that has shot the best percentage thus far which makes for a shoddy defense. Jokic has taken matters into his own hands after a brief cold spell and has received immense offensive support from Aaron Gordon, Jamal Murray, Bones Hyland, Jeff Green, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Bringing Bruce Brown has been a smooth move as it has covered for defensive wing Michael Porter’s constant injury woes.

• Lakers: OUT: Wenyen Gabriel, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Cole Swider. PROBABLE: LeBron James;
• Nuggets: OUT: Michael Porter Jr, Collin Gillepsie.

• Expected Leading Scorers: Nikola Jokic(34-42 Points), Anthony Davis(32-39 Points), LeBron James(28-34 Points);
• Expected Leading Rebounders: Nikola Jokic(12-16 Rebounds), Anthony Davis(11-13 Rebounds);
• Expected Leading Playmakers: Nikola Jokic(9-13 Assists), Russell Westbrook(9-11 Assists)

The Nuggets are among the best offensive teams and they have been drawing a lot from Jokic as expected who has hit the sweetest patch of the season. For the Lakers, there are plenty of offensive games but it is about their rhythm and three-point shooting, both have left them when they needed them most. Such has not been the case for the Nuggets, which identifies more than a couple of offensive options regularly. That is why they have a slight edge here. However, I’d back the Lakers to win here. I predict a scoreline of 123:118 in the favor of the Lakers.