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By Tyler Everett

Sports Betting Editor

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A busy night in the NBA wraps up in Denver with an intriguing potential playoff preview between the Lakers (37-24) and Nuggets (38-24).

Both teams enter this game in a bit of a rut, with just five wins in their last 10 games. Related: both are in danger of falling out of the top 6 in the Western Conference standings. If the season ended today, the Nuggets would be the 5-seed, while the Lakers would be the 6-seed.

Denver could welcome back forward Aaron Gordon and guard Peyton Watson this weekend, but both have been ruled out for tonight's game. The Lakers, on the other hand, are close to full strength. Maxi Kleber (GTD, back) is the lone name on the injury report for L.A.

These teams have met once this season, in a 115-107 road win by the Lakers. L.A. won that one thanks to a monster night from Luka Doncic, who exploded for 38 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists despite shooting just 3-for-9 from 3-point range.

We shouldn't read too much into that result, though, because Jokic did not play in that contest, and neither did Austin Reaves for the Lakers.

How To Watch Lakers vs. Nuggets

Tipoff: 10 p.m. ET
TV: Prime Video

Lakers vs. Nuggets Betting Odds: Spread, Moneyline, Total

Best Lakers vs. Nuggets Player Prop Bets

Nikola Jokic Over 13.5 Rebounds (+124 at FanDuel) -- 1 unit

This is a big number, but against Deandre Ayton and a Lakers squad whose second- and third-leading rebounders are LeBron James and Luka Doncic, I'm bullish on Jokic coming through. On the season, Jokic has grabbed at least 14 rebounds 19 times in 47 appearances. Counting only the games in which he's played at least 30 minutes, Jokic has cleared this line 19 times in 37 tries.

The case for Jokic to cash this one starts with the fact that he's played at least 36 minutes in three consecutive games, and he's on three days' rest following his team's last game: Monday night's narrow win over the Jazz.

In 14 games since returning from injury on January 30, Jokic has grabbed 10 rebounds or more 12 times, including eight games with 14+ rebounds. He narrowly missed cashing this prop in three of his last four games, with 12, 17, 13 and 12 rebounds as the Nuggets split four matchups against the Celtics, Thunder, Timberwolves and Jazz.

The Lakers are bottom-five in the league in both offensive rebounds per game and defensive rebounds per game, and they are 22nd in offensive rebounding rate. Their defensive rebounding rate of 74.4 is No. 12 in the NBA, but cleaning the glass is a clear weakness for coach JJ Redick's squad.

Let's close the case for this one with a look at what a handful of opposing big men have recently accomplished at the Lakers' expense.

Magic F Paolo Banchero grabbed 10 rebounds in L.A.'s loss to Orlando on Feb. 24. The Lakers also gave up 11 boards to Magic C Wendell Carter Jr in that game.

In L.A.'s loss to Phoenix last week (Feb. 26), Suns C Mark Williams was able to snatch 10 boards -- including five offensive -- in just over 13 minutes of action. More recently, in last Sunday's win over the Kings, rookie C Maxime Raynaud, who averages 7.2 rebound per game, finished with 16 points and 13 boards (6 offensive) on 8-for-10 shooting from the floor.

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Lakers vs. Nuggets Prediction, Best ATS Bets

Did I mention I love this matchup for Jokic? As we detailed above, this feels like a massive spot for the three-time MVP, who should be able to have his way in the paint. The absences of Gordon and Watson make laying the points with the home favorites risky, but I expect Denver to find a way to pull this one out with some room to spare.

The Lakers' 37-24 record shows that they're a solid team. They have not, however, played well against top competition. L.A. is 1-3 against the Spurs, with all three losses by at least 13 points; 0-2 against the Thunder (OKC 121, LAL 91 on Nov. 12; OKC 119, LAL 110 on Feb. 9); 0-1 against the Rockets and 1-3 against the Suns.

The Lakers did take down Minnesota twice, but those victories both took place way back in October.

Prediction: Nuggets to win

Best Lakers vs. Nuggets Bet Against The Spread

Nuggets -4.5 (-110 at FanDuel)

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