JJ Redick emerges from his “dark place” this weekend, as he looks to steer the Los Angeles Lakers to a win against the team that twice eliminated LA in the last two editions of the NBA Playoffs. Will the Lakers take down Denver at home? Or, will the Nuggets give Los Angeles its second loss in a row?
Catch this game live on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 11:30 AM, Manila time.
Away: Denver Nuggets (8-6/3-3 Away)
Projected Starting Five:
- Jamal Murray
- Christian Braun
- Michael Porter Jr.
- Peyton Watson
- Nikola Jokic
The Nuggets are coming off a 123-120 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday.
The good news for them is that Nikola Jokic is back, as he returned to action on Saturday against the Mavs after a multi-game absence, scoring 33 points and producing 17 rebounds, and 10 assists. His return comes at an unfortunate time for the Lakers, who know a thing or two about getting smoked by the three-time NBA Most Valuable Player.
But Jokic’s comeback shouldn’t greatly overshadow the good job the other Nuggets did while he was out. In the three games that Jokic missed, Michael Porter Jr., Jamal Murray, and Christian Braun produced quality numbers. Porter averaged 19.3 points in that stretch. Murray and Braun put up 18.7 and 15.7 points in that span as well. However, the Nuggets’ offense averaged just 102.0 points with Jokic away, so his return gives Denver a big shot in the arm.
The Nuggets have covered the spread in two of their last four road games. They are also 5-1 against the spread in their last six visits to LA’s home.
Home: Los Angeles Lakers (10-5/7-1 Home)
Projected Starting Five:
- Austin Reaves
- Dalton Knecht
- Cam Reddish
- LeBron James
- Anthony Davis
The Lakers just got stunned at home by Franz Wagner and the Orlando Magic in Friday’s 119-118 loss to the Eastern Conference team. That loss halted Los Angeles’ scorching six-game undefeated run. But the Lakers are still in great shape, with 10 wins already to their name. LeBron James and Anthony Davis – notwithstanding his missed free throws in the clutch against Orlando – are still playing at a very high level. Plus, they are getting terrific support from the rapidly rising Dalton Knecht.
The former Tennessee Volunteers star has averaged 22.8 points on 63.6 FG% and 63.2 3FG% in the last five Lakers games. Denver has been a big thorn in the side of the Lakers, particularly in the playoffs, but LA hopes things are changing now on that front, with JJ Redick, and not Darvin Ham, now calling the shots for the team. The Lakers are 3-1 against the spread in their last four games overall versus Denver.
Picks
Spread: Denver Nuggets (+4.0)
Over/Under: Under (233.5)
Della Hamilton
Elijah Crawford