Two teams desperate for a win face off on Thursday as the Los Angeles Lakers (37-24) head to Denver to take on the Nuggets (38-24).
Los Angeles found its footing after restarting from the NBA All-Star break on a three-game losing skid. Since their 113-110 loss to Phoenix, the Lakers have won three consecutive games over Western Conference foes.
Denver’s trajectory is headed in the opposite direction. The Nuggets have dropped three of their past five games, falling to Western Conference foes in each loss. However, Denver snapped a two-game losing streak with a 128-125 victory over the lowly Utah Jazz on Monday.
Which team will emerge victorious in this battle for the Western Conference’s fifth seed? We’ll cover that and provide bettors with our top three player props for Thursday’s contest.
Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Doncic OVER 30.5 Points
The league’s top score has been, by his lofty standards, pedestrian as of late. Doncic has scored over 30 points just once in his team’s past five outings, leaving him well short of his 32.4 points per game average.
However, Denver seemingly brings out the best in Doncic. The 6-foot-8 guard has averaged over 35 points against the Nuggets over the past three seasons, including a 38-point showing in January. That’s why bettors should take Doncic to cover his scoring prop bet for Thursday night.
Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic OVER 54.5 Pts + Reb + Ast
Nikola Jokic has three MVP awards on his mantle, and the 6-foot-11 could add a fourth with the season he’s having. The center ranks sixth in scoring (28.7) and first in both rebounds (12.6) and assists (10.3). Early next season, Jokic could pass Russell Westbrook for the most all-time triple-doubles with a strong finish to the year.
He’ll have to turn around his recent play to make that run, however. Since the All-Star break, Jokic has surpassed 50 combined points, rebounds, and assists only three times. Expect the Nuggets to rely on him throughout Thursday’s game, and Jokic will cover his combo prop bet total.
Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James OVER 6.5 Assists
After being one of the league’s top scorers for most of his career, LeBron James has a different role with Doncic in the lineup. James is becoming one of the league leaders for assists, dishing out 7.0 per game. That ranks as the 10th-best total in the NBA this season.
Before the All-Star break, James hit his average in five straight games. Since then, he’s hit that total only three times. Earlier this season, James recorded eight assists when the Lakers played Denver. Expect him to finish with that total – or more – in Thursday’s primetime affair.
| Thursday, October 22 at 9:40 PM | Spread | Money | Total |
| Denver Nuggets |  +7.5 (-114) |  +225 | O 232.5 (-105) |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | -7.5 (-110) |  -275 | U 231.5 (-110) |
Best Bet: Denver -5.5
Los Angeles fixed several of the team’s issues with big wins over Golden State, Sacramento, and New Orleans. It could be fool’s gold for bettors, however. Combined, those teams have won just 34 percent of their contests this season.
Denver’s losses have been respectable, dropping games since the All-Star break to teams that are above .500. The Nuggets are just 6-6 at home during the past dozen games, but their wins have been decisive. That’s why bettors should take Denver to cover the spread for Thursday’s contest.
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