Nuggets vs. Lakers odds, props, predictions: Los Angeles looking to defend home court against defending champs

NBA on TNT Thursday night basketball features a clash of titans tonight as Denver travels to Los Angeles. The Nuggets are first in the Western Conference and have the second-best record in the NBA, while the Lakers are on their second-longest winning streak of the season. A win for L.A. would match their best season-long streak and continue their push toward the playoffs.

The Lakers sit ninth in the Western Conference, putting them in a play-in tournament position. Los Angeles is 24-29 against the spread this season, but they have covered two out of three during their winning streak. They have ratcheted up their defense, hitting the UNDER in two of three, and will need that tonight against the excellent Nuggets offense.

The Nuggets are in a battle for the top seed in the Western Conference, tied with the Thunder and Timberwolves. With the all-star break almost here, every game is getting more important for playoff seeding. The Nuggets can play better, too, as they have the fifth-worst record against the spread at 21-28-2 ATS. While the Nuggets have won two in a row, they have not covered in either. Their defense has been fantastic of late, hitting the UNDER for total points in eight of their last nine.

Here is the latest Nuggets vs. Lakers betting news, player props and a betting prediction for tonight's Western Conference matchup. The game tips off tonight at 10 p.m. on TNT.

Live odds for Nuggets vs. Lakers

Here are the spread, moneyline and total points live odds for Nuggets vs. Lakers at the best online sportsbooks.

Denver Nuggets betting news

The Nuggets have looked ready to defend their NBA championship this season and are in contention for the Western Conference's No. 1 seed. The Nuggets have stayed mostly healthy outside of Jamal Murray missing most of November with injury. He has been back for two months and looks as good as ever, improving his stats from last season. 

Murray is averaging 21 points on 47.1% from the field and 40.6% from three, both being second-best of any season in his career. He is also distributing the ball as well as ever, averaging a career-high in assists with 6.6 APG. Murray has also played his best in the biggest matchups, scoring 35 in a win over Milwaukee and in a win against Boston in the past month.

Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic continues to play at an MVP level night in and night out. He is averaging the second-most assists of any season in his career at 9.0 a game. Add in 26.3 PPG and 12.2 RPG and he is a nightly triple-double threat. It's no surprise he leads the league with 15 triple-doubles this season.

Los Angeles Lakers betting news

The Lakers are doing everything they can to get back into the playoff race and look to be an underdog contender for an NBA championship. After winning the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament, the Lakers had a tough month and a half. LA went 5-12 after beating the Pacers in the championship but have gotten back on track, going 8-4 since their big win over the Thunder on Jan. 15.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis have been playing at a high level all season but have needed more support. They have been getting it over the last 12 games, as D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves have been scoring a lot. Reaves has scored 15-plus points six times, including a season-high 32 in the Lakers win over Boston last week. Russell has scored over 15 points 10 times. Reaves has been shooting 38% from three, and Russell has been shooting 45% from three. 

The Lakers can compete for an NBA title if they keep getting that type of scoring production and high-level three-point shooting from Reaves and Russell. With two star players like James and Davis, who are not big-time deep threats, they need competent shooters on the floor with them.

Nuggets vs. Lakers player props at BetMGM Sportsbook

Here are some of the top player prop markets for Nuggets vs. Lakers from BetMGM Sportsbook.

Nikola Jokic prop bets

• 27.5 points OVER (-115) / UNDER (-120)
• 11.5 rebounds OVER (-135) / UNDER (+100)
• 8.5 assists OVER (-120) / UNDER (-110)
• 0.5 threes OVER (-185) / UNDER (+135)

Jamal Murray prop bets

• 23.5 points OVER (-120) / UNDER (-110)
• 3.5 rebounds OVER (-160) / UNDER (+120)
• 7.5 assists OVER (+110) / UNDER (-150)
• 2.5 threes OVER (-130) / UNDER (-105)

Michael Porter Jr. prop bets

• 13.5 points OVER (-125) / UNDER (-105)
• 5.5 rebounds OVER (-150) / UNDER (+115)
• 1.5 assists OVER (+160) / UNDER (-225)
• 2.5 threes OVER (+115) / UNDER (-150)

LeBron James prop bets

• 25.5 points OVER (-105) / UNDER (-130)
• 6.5 rebounds OVER (-135) / UNDER (+100)
• 7.5 assists OVER (-110) / UNDER (-120)
• 1.5 threes OVER (-140) / UNDER (+105)

Anthony Davis prop bets

• 23.5 points OVER (-125) / UNDER (-105)
• 11.5 rebounds OVER (-135) / UNDER (+100)
• 3.5 assists OVER (-160) / UNDER (+120)
• 0.5 threes OVER (+140) / UNDER (-190)

Austin Reaves prop bets

• 14.5 points OVER (-120) / UNDER (-110)
• 3.5 rebounds OVER (+120) / UNDER (-155)
• 5.5 assists OVER (+115) / UNDER (-155)
• 1.5 threes OVER (-135) / UNDER (+100)

Nuggets vs. Lakers prediction: LeBron wins battle with Jokic

The Lakers are hot, playing at home and Anthony Davis is one of the few players in the league who can match up well with Nikola Jokic. It will be a tight battle, but LeBron should be able to lead the Lakers to a big win.