Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers Picks and Predictions February 22nd 2025

Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers February 22nd 2025

The Western Conference matchup between the Lakers and Nuggets will tip-off at 8:30 ET. Denver is currently on a nine-game win streak and is favored by seven points over the Lakers. The over/under line is set at 240.5.

This game will be played at Ball Arena in Denver. The Lakers are 33-21 on the season and sit fifth in the Western Conference. The Nuggets are 37-19 and are third in the West. ABC will televise this game.

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Lakers vs. Nuggets Key Information

The Lakers improved to 33-21 on the season with a 110-102 win over the Trail Blazers on Thursday. Los Angeles, favored by 2.5 points, covered the spread with the win. The total score of 212 points fell short of the 225-point over/under line.

Los Angeles used a 10-0 run early to take control, going from 9-8 to 18-9. After a strong 1st quarter, they led 28-15. Portland fought back, winning the 2nd and 3rd quarters, but the Lakers entered the 4th quarter up 78-77 and outscored the Blazers 32-25 in the final period to secure the win.

LeBron James led the Lakers to a win over the Trail Blazers, scoring 40 points and grabbing 8 rebounds, while shooting 58.3% from the field and hitting 4 threes at a 50% clip. Austin Reaves added 32 points and 7 assists, contributing 11 points in the 4th quarter.

As a team, the Lakers shot 47.6% from the field and struggled from beyond the arc, making just 9 threes at 28.1%. LeBron scored 12 points in each of the final three quarters, while Reaves added 12 in the 1st and 11 in the 4th.

The Lakers’ defense shined in the 1st quarter, holding the Trail Blazers to just 15 points, and they gave up 102 points overall in the win. They allowed 32 points in the 2nd quarter and 30 in the 3rd but tightened up in the 4th, giving up 25 points. Portland shot 44% from the field.

From three-point range, the Lakers held the Trail Blazers to 32%, with Portland making 12 threes. The Blazers went 14/21 from the free-throw line. The Lakers grabbed 37 defensive rebounds, allowing 6 offensive boards, and added 7 steals and 6 blocks.

The Nuggets improved to 37-19 with a 129-115 win over the Hornets on Thursday. Denver was favored by 18 points but didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total points of 244.5 went over the line of 227.5.

Denver went on a 10-0 run early, extending their lead from 44-42 to 54-42. After a tight 3rd quarter, they pulled away in the 4th, holding Charlotte to 19 points while scoring 30.

Jamal Murray hit 7 threes at a 70% clip, finishing with 34 points and 4 assists in the Nuggets’ win over the Hornets. Nikola Jokić added 29 points, 17 rebounds, and 9 assists, making 6 threes, while Aaron Gordon contributed 18 points on 61.5% shooting.

Denver connected on 19 threes, shooting 44.2% from deep and 50% overall. Murray scored 13 points in the 1st quarter, while Jokić added 14 in the opening period.

Even with a rough 3rd quarter where they allowed 38 points, the Nuggets tightened up defensively in the 4th, giving up just 19 points to secure the win. Overall, they held the Hornets to 115 points on 43% shooting.

Denver struggled to contain Charlotte’s three-point shooting, as the Hornets hit 15 threes at a 40% clip. The Nuggets also sent the Hornets to the line 17 times, where they made 14 free throws. Denver finished with 3 steals and 3 blocks.

Coming in as the underdogs at +7, we have the Lakers as the way to go on the point spread. Not only do we have them covering, but our projections show they have a good one of winning this one straight-up, if you’re looking for a higher payout on the moneyline.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 240.5 and given that our model is projecting 245 points between the teams, we like the over.

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New-Look Lakers Out to Change Fortunes Against Nuggets

The Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets have forged a rivalry through their playoff matchups, but the showdowns have been one-sided.

Denver has won 13 of the last 14 meetings dating to January of 2023, including the last five in the regular season, and the Nuggets will try to extend that streak Saturday night when they host Los Angeles.

Lakers’ New Weapon: Luka Doncic

The Los Angeles Lakers have a new weapon to try to stop their slide against Denver. Saturday night likely will be Luka Doncic’s first game against the Nuggets since he was traded from Dallas on Feb. 2. Doncic has played in three games since coming to Los Angeles but sat out a 110-102 win at Portland on Thursday night.

Doncic is expected to play in the second meeting between the teams this season. Denver won the first game 127-102 on Nov. 23, but the Lakers are a different team now.

Since a home loss to San Antonio on Jan. 13, they have won 13 of 17 and moved within three games of the Nuggets, who currently hold the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference and have won nine straight games.

LeBron James Leading the Charge

Even with Doncic on the roster, LeBron James is the catalyst for Los Angeles. He scored 40 points in the win over the Trail Blazers, becoming the first player in NBA history to score 40 or more points twice after turning 40.

“I still love the game, and I still got a lot to give to the game, to give to my teammates, to give to this league for while I’m here,” James said. “I don’t have much time left. So while I’m here today in this time, I’m going to try to give what I got when I’m out on the floor.”

James leads the Lakers at 24.7 points a game, followed by Austin Reaves (19.1). Doncic is averaging 14.7 points in his three games with Los Angeles and 26.5 in 25 total games this season.

Nuggets’ Continued Dominance

Doncic has bolstered the Los Angeles backcourt, but dealing Anthony Davis to the Mavericks leaves the Lakers vulnerable against big men, and Denver has the best in the league in Nikola Jokic.

Jokic leads the Denver Nuggets in scoring (29.7 points), rebounding (12.7), and assists (10.2), which are all top three in the NBA.

Jamal Murray is second on the Nuggets in scoring at 21.3 points a game, Michael Porter Jr. is third at 18.7, and Christian Braun is averaging 14.9.

Murray’s scoring is up over the last 10 games, after a career-high 55 points against Portland on Feb. 12, and he is averaging 27.8 in nine games since Jan. 29. His strong play is one reason Denver is in search of its first 10-game winning streak in coach Michael Malone’s tenure.

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The streak has catapulted the Nuggets to near the top of the Western Conference with 26 games remaining.

“No matter who you play in the West, man, it’s going to be a dogfight,” Malone said. “Think about the teams that are outside the play-in right now. … There’s no, like, ‘Let’s get this seed so we can play this team.’ OK. Careful what you wish for.”

What’s at Stake?

With the Lakers seeking revenge and the Nuggets aiming for their 10th straight win, this game could be pivotal for Western Conference positioning.