DENVER NUGGETS VS. LOS ANGELES LAKERS EXPERT PICK AND PREDICTIONS — February 22, 2025

DENVER NUGGETS VS. LOS ANGELES LAKERS EXPERT PICK AND PREDICTIONS — February 22, 2025 — Greetings, basketball fans. Welcome back to our NBA coverage here at Godzilla Wins. One of the games on tap from today’s slate features the Denver Nuggets (37-19 SU, 29-26-1 ATS) hosting the Los Angeles Lakers (33-21 SU, 29-24-1 ATS).

Here is a look at which squad has the edge going into this matchup and why.

Tipoff

When: Saturday, February 22, 2025 @ 8:30 PM ET

Where: Ball Arena, Denver, CO

TV: ABC and ESPN+

Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Odds

Odds courtesy of DraftKings

Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers — Preview & Betting Trends

Denver Looks To Remain Dominant Against Conference Rival

The Nuggets have bounced back from a three-game skid by reeling off nine straight wins. This includes a 129-115 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday night.

Jamal Murray, one of four starters, reached double figures, led the way with 34 points and four assists. Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic finished with 29 points, 17 rebounds, and nine assists.

Denver held an eight-point advantage after the first 12 minutes of play. But Charlotte did not go away quietly, trimming the deficit to just three points heading into the final frame.

Denver responded with 13-2 to start the fourth period, en route to outscoring the Hornets by a 30-19 margin. This marked the seventh double-digit victory for the Nuggets during their nine-game winning streak.

New-Look Lakers Hope To Change Their Fortunes Against Denver

On the other hand, the Lakers ended their two-game skid with a 110-102 win against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night. The ageless wonder that is LeBron James finished with a game-high 40 points, along with eight rebounds and four assists. This marked his second 40-point performance of the season.

Although Austin Reeves did not shoot the ball efficiently (9-21 FG, 2-8 3PT), he also had a solid outing, with 32 points, seven assists, two steals, and two blocked shots. While the Lakers jumped out to an early 18-point lead, the Blazers rallied to tie the score at 81 in the fourth quarter. Reeves and James helped key an 18-8 run, giving the home team a 99-89 advantage it would not relinquish.

Thanks to a 7-3 mark over its last 10 outings, Los Angeles has moved within three games of Denver in the standings. At the other end of the spectrum,  Denver has won 13 of the last 14 meetings between these franchises, including the previous five regular-season matchups.

Will that trend continue, or can the Lakers pull off the upset? Now that we have set the stage for this Western Conference showdown, let’s look at the betting trends for both teams.

Nuggets vs. Lakers Spread Analysis

Given their dominance against the Lakers, it is no surprise that the Nuggets enter this matchup as a seven-point favorite (per OddsShark.com). Here is a look at how both teams have fared against the spread this season.

• The Nuggets have covered the spread six times in their last seven outings.
• Denver is 5-0 ATS in its past five matchups against Western Conference opponents.
• Meanwhile, the Lakers are 7-2 ATS in the previous nine games.
• Los Angeles has covered the spread four times in its last five road contests.

Prediction: Denver Nuggets (-7)

Nuggets vs. Lakers Over/Under Prediction

The projected scoring total for this matchup is 241.5 points (via OddsShark.com). Let’s see why going with the “under” is the intelligent choice.

• The total has gone UNDER five times in the Nuggets’ last six games.
• The UNDER total is 5-0 in Denver’s previous five home outings against Los Angeles.
• The total has gone UNDER eight times in the Lakers’ past 10 matchups against Northwest Division opponents.
• These two teams average 234.6 points per game, 6.9 points less than the game’s over/under total.

Prediction: UNDER 241.5 points

Nuggets vs. Lakers Player Prop Bet

Following his dominant 29-17-9 effort against Charlotte, Nikola Jokic is the key player to watch for the home team. He currently has -125 odds of scoring more than 27.5 points and -105 odds of finishing with less than 27.5 points (via Bet365.com).

Here is a look at how his numbers stack up against the projected points total for this matchup.

• During the season, Jokic is averaging 29.7 points per game.
• In the previous matchup between these two teams, he finished with 34 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists on 60 percent shooting from the field and 42.9 percent from 3-point range.
• The reigning MVP has suited up in 25 home games this season. In those contests, he averages 30.2 points per outing.
• Across his last five outings, Jokic has put up 32.8 points per game, exceeding the points total for this matchup in every game during that stretch.

Prediction: Nikola Jokic OVER 27.5 points