Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Game 4 Predictions, Odds & Picks

• After winning the first two games, the Denver Nuggets took their first win of the series in Game 3.
• After the second quarter, the Nuggets never trailed in Game 3.
• Anthony Davis leads all scorers with 31.7 points per game.

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Lakers vs Nuggets Odds

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Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Predictions and Picks

The Nuggets dominated Game 3 against the Lakers with a two-way team effort. While they’re unlikely to get another 26 point night out of Grant, they seem to have sorted out the defensive issues from their first two losses.

Picks:

Denver Nuggets def. Los Angeles Lakers +205

Denver +6 -110

Over 214.5 -109

How to Watch Lakers vs Nuggets

Head-to-Head: Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets

The Lakers Can’t Settle

The Los Angeles Lakers deserved to lose Game 3. After a buzzer-beating effort in Game 2, the Lakers look privileged in their approach against the Nuggets. Their shooting tendencies were no more apparent than in their shot selection.

In Game 3 against the Nuggets, the Lakers took 26 three-point attempts. Of those attempts, they converted on only six. The Lakers’ three-pointers accounted for 31.3% of their field-goal attempts. But after a 4-13 effort from deep in the first half, one would’ve thought Los Angeles would search for better efficiency.

No Laker had a good shooting night from deep, with only Kentavious Caldwell-Pope making more than one three in the game. An aggressive LeBron James at the rim will be the best course of action for the Lakers’ offense.

Denver’s Unsung Heroes

All eyes will be on the performances of All-Star Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Even on the breakout play of Michael Porter Jr. However as it has been all season, the Nuggets’ depth and resilience has powered their success.

Whether it be the offensive contributions of Morris and Porter off the bench, or the gritty defensive presence of Plumlee and Craig, Mike Malone has a wealth of options depending on the situation. Despite his offensive struggles, Paul Millsap has been excellent, holding Anthony Davis to 25% shooting on possessions where he is the primary defender.

It is difficult to rely on so many different players in pressure games. However, with the playmaking ability of Murray and Jokic, they’re merely asked to make open shots and play solid defence. Denver’s role players are complementing their stars perfectly.

Lakers Key Player: (C) Dwight Howard

Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard has been tasked with handling Nuggets center Nikola Jokic. While Howard is nowhere near the prime of his career, he still provides decent utility for Frank Vogel and his Lakers.

Howard has averaged a modest 6.7 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.0 blocks against the Nuggets in this series.

Where Howard is most effective is when he is rolling to the rim to finish. He may not have the athleticism of days past, but his ability in the paint is still very dependable. Getting Howard involved and exploiting Jokic on the offensive end is almost as important as containing the Serbian on the defensive side.

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Nuggets Key Player: (F) Jerami Grant

Jerami Grant’s energy has been infectious for the Denver Nuggets in their Western Conference series against the Lakers. His Game 3 performance against the Lakers was the catalyst for their success.

Grant isn’t much of a shooter, despite making two threes in Game 3. He also logged 26 points, two steals, and a 10-12 night from the free throw line.

Having an outlet at the level of Jerami Grant has been key for the Nuggets. Grant’s willingness to attack the rim has synergized well with his capable passing team. Such efforts from Grant make beating the Nuggets very difficult.