The Denver Nuggets invade the Crypto.com Arena to take on the LA Lakers in Game 3 NBA playoffs on Thursday night. Here’s a Denver Nuggets vs LA Lakers prediction.
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are now in the driver’s seat after sneaking past the Lakers in a 101-99 win in Game 2 on Monday to claim a 2-0 series lead. Nikola Jokic led the team with a monster triple-double of 27 points with 20 rebounds and 10 assists, Michael Porter Jr added 22 points while Jamal Murray chipped in with 20 points and five assists. As a team, the Nuggets shot 44 percent from the field and eight of 34 from the 3-point line as they failed to match the Lakers’ intensity early on and quickly found themselves trailing by 20 points, before they dominated the second half by 57-40 to steal the game at the buzzer with Jamal Murray draining the game-winner with just 0.1 seconds left on the clock.
Los Angeles Lakers
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers will absolutely be kicking themselves after missing out on a crucial chance to steal home-court advantage in Game 2. Anthony Davis led the team with 32 points and 11 rebounds on 14 of 19 shooting, LeBron James added 26 points with eight rebounds and 12 assists while D’Angelo Russell chipped in with 23 points and six assists. As a team, the Lakers shot 48 percent from the field and 13 of 30 from the 3-point line as they dominated the early going, holding the Nuggets to just 20 points in the second quarter to storm out to a 20-point lead, but they never put the Nuggets away and it cost them in the end with the Nuggets’ Murray stealing the game in the final second.
Los Angeles Lakers Team Facts
- The Lakers have won seven of their last eight games as home underdogs against Northwest Division opponents following a loss.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight Thursday games as home underdogs.
- Eight of the Lakers’ last nine night games at Crypto.com Arena have gone OVER the total points line.
Denver Nuggets Team Facts
- The Nuggets have won each of their last 10 games against the Lakers.
- The Nuggets have covered the spread in each of their last five playoff road games.
- Eight of the Nuggets’ last nine games against Pacific Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Denver Nuggets vs LA Lakers prediction
The Nuggets will now have their eyes on going up 3-0 in the series after pulling a rabbit out of the hat in Game 2 on Monday. The Lakers are simply playing to stay alive in the series after suffering one of their worst losses of the season on Monday. The Nuggets have all the momentum now, but with the series shifting to the Crypto.com Arena. It is fair to expect the Lakers’ supporting cast to step up, especially someone like Russell who could have a big night in the Lakers’ biggest game of the season. The Lakers should’ve been good enough to level up the series, but I don’t think they will miss out in this one, with players like James and Davis likely to go off for massive games. You can make an argument for either side here, but I’m going with the Lakers to defend home court, at least for another game.