NBA Predictions: Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Sunday, 1/5/14, 9:30 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Denver -1
Current Betting Line: Denver -2
Opening Total: 205.5
Current Total: 203.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Denver Nuggets PG Ty Lawson has put up great numbers against the Los Angeles Lakers in the L4 meetings

Denver snapped an eight-game losing streak last time out, as it picked up a 111-108 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies as 4.5-point home favorites, while going OVER the betting total for a second consecutive contest. The Nuggets have three probable starters averaging in double figures, with point guard Ty Lawson leading the way at 17.7 points a contest, which is important to consider when making your NBA predictions. He’s averaging 19.8 points and 9.8 assists in the team’s four-game winning streak in this Western Conference rivalry. Denver is 2-0 SU and 1-0-1 ATS as road favorites of three or fewer points this season.

The Nuggets are 7-9 SU away from the Pepsi Center during the 2013-14 campaign, which can’t be ignored when looking over the NBA betting lines. Over the last five seasons, Denver has compiled a 56-22 record in the month of January—winning at least 10 games in five straight years during that particular calendar month. It’s important to point out that the squad’s bench has outscored its opponents’ second unit in 24 of 32 contests.

Los Angeles also stopped a lengthy losing streak last time out, as it tallied a 110-99 victory over the Utah Jazz as 3.5-point home favorites, while going OVER the betting total of 195.5. The Lakers have three probable starters averaging in double figures, with forward Nick Young leading the way at 16.5 points a contest. He has scored 20-plus points eight times and gone over the 30-point mark once. Los Angeles is 5-5 SU and 5-4-1 ATS as home underdogs of three or fewer points the last two-plus seasons, with the OVER going 6-4 in that situation.

The Lakers are 8-9 SU at the Staples Center this season, including a 6-5 mark versus conference rivals. At this venue, Los Angeles has compiled a 21-5 SU record in this series. Offensively, the team ranks 17th in the league in averaging 99.3 points per game, but sits behind 27 teams in giving up 103.2 points a contest.