Nuggets vs. Lakers NBA Prediction
The second game of ESPN’s NBA double header for Monday night features the Nuggets and Lakers, who will look to rebound from their blowout loss to the Raptors on Sunday night. With the Lakers catching 2.5 points as a home dog and the total sitting at 219 points, what’s the safest play?
Game Snapshot
579 Denver Nuggets (-2.5) at 580 Los Angeles Lakers (+2.5); o/u 219
10:00 p.m. ET, Monday, May 3, 2021
Venue: STAPLES Center, Los Angeles, LA
TV: ESPN
Denver Nuggets DFS Spin
Michael Porter Jr. shot 10-of-16 from the field in Saturday’s win over the Clippers, recording a line of 25 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four 3-pointers in 37 minutes. Ahead of Saturday, Porter Jr. was averaging 25.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.4 steals, 1.6 blocks and 4.1 3-pointers in the nine games played since Jamal Murray went down with a season-ending torn ACL. And MPJ has been incredibly efficient since the Nuggets lost their starting point guard, shooting 56.7% from the field and 82.8% from the foul line. Porter Jr. kept on his current hot streak Saturday night, and those who have him rostered had to be thrilled. With two weeks remaining in the regular season, Porter Jr. is closing in on top-25 value in 9-cat formats.
Los Angeles Lakers DFS Spin
LeBron James (right ankle soreness) will not return to Sunday’s game against the Raptors. He basically disappeared without notice around seven minutes left in the game and the report didn’t come out until there were under 60 seconds left to play. The Lakers are about to lose to a below-average Toronto team, and LeBron did them no favors with five turnovers on the night. He finished with 19 points, seven boards and six assists, but the main concern here is the status of his ankle. We’ll report back when we get some more info.
Nuggets vs. Lakers Betting Prediction
The over is 12-5-2 in the last 19 meetings between these two teams at STAPLES Center and is 25-9-2 in the last 36 meetings overall. The over is also 8-2 in the Lakers’ last 10 games versus an opponent like the Nuggets that have a winning record, is 5-2 in their last seven games as an underdog and has cashed in nine of their last 13 games when they’ve played on Monday.
NBA BETTING PREDICTION: NUGGETS/LAKERS OVER 219