Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers: Analysis and Prediction – Denver Nuggets will open new NBA season at home against Los Angeles Lakers.
Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers Odds
Denver Nuggets Team News
The Denver Nuggets won their first-ever NBA title last season. They were dominant throughout the playoffs, smoothly defeating the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals with a 4-1 in the series. Before that, they had no problems in any of the conference play-off ties.
Nikola Jokic was the driving force behind the Nuggets’ success. After winning the NBA MVP twice, the Serbian center was awarded the NBA Finals MVP in the last season. He’s currently the best player in the world and will lead his team in another quest for the title. Jamal Murray played his best basketball in the playoffs, and players like Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr. and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope did everything their head coach Michael Malone asked of them.
These five players will be the core of the Denver Nuggets this season as well. The first game of the season always holds special weight, and it will be accompanied by a championship ring and banner-raising ceremony. Jokic and his teammates will be highly motivated, and they’ll face the same team they swept in last season’s conference finals.
Los Angeles Lakers Team News
The Los Angeles Lakers were not dominant during the regular season, so they had to go through the play-in tournament to secure a spot in the playoffs. However, when the most crucial part of the season began, the Lakers stepped up and reached the Western Conference Finals. Nonetheless, the Denver Nuggets were too dominant there.
A 4-0 defeat in the Western Conference Finals was undoubtedly one of the most toughest losses in LeBron James’ career. Nevertheless, this team can draw many positives from the latter part of the previous season and build upon them. Gabe Vincent will bolster the defense, while Christian Wood performs much better on the offensive end. Anthony Davis will have a significant role in the team alongside James, and Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell are still part of the team.
The Los Angeles Lakers have the highest ambitions. LeBron James aims to win at least one more championship in his career, and this team has the quality to go far. The primary concern is that everyone stays healthy and plays as many games as possible, which hasn’t always been the case in previous seasons.
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Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers H2H
The Denver Nuggets won six out of eight games against the Los Angeles Lakers last season, with a 4-0 series score in the Western Conference Finals.
Absences and Injuries
Rookie Julian Strawther is questionable for the Denver Nuggets, while Vlatko Cancar is likely to miss the entire season due to an injury. For the Los Angeles Lakers, Jarred Vanderbilt and Jalen Hood-Schifino are game time decision.
Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction
All four games in the Western Conference Finals showed how much the Denver Nuggets dominate the Los Angeles Lakers when they are healthy and focused. As already mentioned, the first game of the season is motivation enough for both teams. While the Lakers seek revenge, the Nuggets also want to triumph in the celebratory atmosphere. When motivation is not lacking for anyone, the better team usually wins. And we all saw who that was five months ago.
Tip-off Time: Wednesday, 25.10.2023, 01:30 CET
Prediction: Denver Nuggets -3.5
Odds: 1.76
Sportsbook: 22Bet
*Odds are active at the time the article is published
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