Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets 10/24/23-Free Pick, NBA

Free NBA Pick: Lakers vs. Nuggets NBA Odds

Looking for Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets free NBA picks & NBA Odds? NBA betting sees the Lakers taking on the Nuggets on Tuesday, October 24th, at Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Lakers Nuggets matchup.

2023 NBA Handicapping Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets

(0-0) Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets (0-0)
Date: Tuesday, October 24th
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Venue: Ball Arena Denver, Colorado
Moneyline NBA Odds: Lakers +170 | Nuggets -200  (Bet Now!)
NBA ATS Betting Odds: Nuggets -4.5
Today’s NBA Betting Total (O/U): 227.5

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The NBA 2023-24 season tips off with Ring Night as the reigning NBA Champion Denver Nuggets play host to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Denver begins the campaign seeking to defend their title while the Lakers hope roster consistency with a few tweaks will help position them to win banner number 18.

The teams last met in the Western Conference Finals and while the Nuggets swept the Lakers it was one of the most competitive series in the 2023 playoffs.

Lakers vs. Nuggets ATS Stats

LA finished the 2023 season ranking 50-48-2 overall against the spread. Also, they were 22-25-1 ATS as the away team. Notably, the Nuggets finished last season with an ATS rating of 56-45-1.

Also, Denver held a 31-20-1 ATS rating as the home team losing a meager seven times at Ball Arena in the regular season and only once in the postseason.

Season Series

LA holds the all-time record having won 113 of the 189 meetings between the clubs. Last season the clubs split the regular season series.

In the four meetings, Nikola Jokic averaged 23.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, 9.75 assists, and 2.25 steals in just over 35 minutes per game.

Anthony Davis sat one game and exited another early while averaging 18.3 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, plus 1.6 steals in just over 30 minutes.

Los Angeles Lakers

After revamping the roster at the trade deadline GM Rob Pelinka elected to switch things up this offseason by retaining the Lakers core.

That said, Pelinka didn’t rest on his laurels adding free agents Christian Wood, Gabe Vincent, Jaxson Hayes, Taurean Prince, and Cam Reddish while drafting Jalen Hood-Schifino, and Maxwell Lewis. 

LeBron James returns for his 21st season becoming just the sixth player in NBA history to reach that elusive benchmark.  At 38, James is still playing at a superstar level averaging 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists in 2022-23.

James hopes to pass the torch to Anthony Davis as the face of the franchise but remaining injury-free will play the greatest factor in that endeavor.

Following a stellar second half and playoff performance Austin Reaves steps into the role that places him in the role of the third option.

Lakers Stats

LA played six preseason games finishing with a 2-4 record. Last season they finished ranking 19th offensively (113.9), 12th defensively (113.2) with a plus +0.7 net rating.

Post All-Star break the Lakers posted the fourth-best defensive efficiency whereas they ranked 14th on offense.

Lakers Injury Report

To summarize the injury report…

• Jarred Vanderbilt (probable—heel)
• Gabe Vincent (questionable—back)
• Jalen Hood-Schifino (questionable—knee)

Denver Nuggets

Calvin Booth walked back his recent frank comments about Michael Porter Jr. who along with Christian Braun, and Peyton Watson are expected to take a leap this season.

Booth was busy this offseason focusing on adding mature draft prospects (Julian Strawther, Jalen Pickett, Hunter Tyson) who could contribute immediately. The youngsters will get an opportunity to replace the minutes Bruce Brown and Jeff Green provided.

Nikola Jokic had a magical summer back home in Sombor, Serbia racing his horses and partying with the locals.

He’d have you believe basketball is just something he happens to be good at, but make no mistake the Joker isn’t fooling any serious fan who recognizes him as the best player in the sport. Jokic averaged 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 9.8 assists, and 1.3 steals per game in 2022-23.

As the Finals MVP, he raised those standards to an average of 30 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists. Running mate Jamal Murray was equally impressive in the postseason averaging 26.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists.

A bonafide playoff performer the Canadian will be seeking to reach a new benchmark this season by making the All-Star and All-NBA team.

Nuggets Stats

Denver played five preseason games posting a record of 3-2. Last season they finished ranking fifth offensively (116.8), 15th defensively (113.5) with a plus +3.3 net rating.

The Nuggets set some impressive offensive benchmarks in 2022-23, posting the second-highest effective field goal percentage in NBA history (57.3%).

Nuggets Injury Report

To summarize the injury report…

• Vlatko Cancar (OUT indefinitely—knee)
• Michael Porter Jr. (probable, ankle)
• Christian Braun (probable, calf)

Lakers vs. Nuggets NBA Betting Trends:

• All in all, the Lakers are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games against Denver.
• Also, the Lakers are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games on the road.
• By comparison, Denver is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games.
• In conclusion, the Nuggets are 12-1 SU in their last 13 games at home.

Free Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets NBA Prediction:

In the last ten seasons, only the Warriors have repeated and just three teams (Lakers, Heat) have accomplished consecutive titles since 2000. Despite those odds, the Nuggets have a great shot of repeating with arguably the best pick-and-roll duo in the business.

Offseason comments sparked a potential rivalry between the clubs with Nuggets coach Michael Malone fueling the fire and the Lakers taking the bait firing back with their own comments.

Emotions can run high on ring night which is something James and Davis are all too familiar with having coughed up a 20-point first-quarter advantage on their ring night five years ago.

Aside from the core talents, keep an eye out for Nuggets rookie Julian Strawther who impressed in the preseason. Ultimately this will come down to the two superstars on each team and I’m still rolling with the champs to win but LA to keep it closer than the spread.

4* Free Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets NBA Betting Pick: Lakers +4.5

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NBA Tweet Of The Day

One common goal.

Bring It Home, Episode 6: The First Real Test. Watch it now on the @NBA App.

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) October 21, 2023

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The Queen of the NBA is based in Toronto, Canada. Past work includes roles as the Managing Editor of Sixteen Wins A Ring. and Thunderous Intentions as well as a featured columnist for ESPN True Hoop Affiliate, Raptors Republic. Stay tuned for winning NBA predictions night after night!