Nuggets vs. Lakers odds, spread, score prediction, time: 2024 NBA playoff picks, Game 3 best bets from model

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The reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets can take a commanding 3-0 series lead and push the Los Angeles Lakers to the brink of elimination when the two teams collide in Game 3 of their Western Conference playoff series on Thursday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. On Monday, the Nuggets took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series after Jamal Murray hit a buzzer-beating jumper, giving Denver a 101-99 victory. The shot capped the Nuggets' comeback from a 20-point second-half deficit. It was the largest comeback win by any NBA team in a playoff game in the last 25 seasons.

Tipoff is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET. Los Angeles is listed as a 1-point favorite in the latest Nuggets vs. Lakers odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 215.5. Before making any Lakers vs. Nuggets picks, be sure to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model. 

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters the second week of the 2024 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 90-58 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $2,800. Anyone following the model has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Nuggets vs. Lakers and just locked in its picks and Game 3 predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are several NBA betting lines and trends for Lakers vs. Nuggets:

Nuggets vs. Lakers spread: Los Angeles -1Nuggets vs. Lakers over/under: 215.5 pointsNuggets vs. Lakers money line: Denver -110, Los Angeles -110DEN: Nikola Jokic ranked second in the NBA this season in triple-doubles (25).LAL: Anthony Davis ranked third in the league in rebounding (12.6 per game).Nuggets vs. Lakers picks: See picks at SportsLineWhy the Nuggets can cover

Denver has dominated the second halves of the series so far. The Nuggets have outscored the Lakers by 31 combined points in the second halves of Games 1 and 2. Dating back to last season's Western Conference Finals, Denver has outscored Los Angeles by a combined 54 points in the second halves of the teams' last six playoff games.

A big reason for the Nuggets' success has been the all-around play of Nikola Jokic. The two-time NBA MVP had 27 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists in Monday's Game 2 victory. That was his fourth career 20-point, 20-rebound, 10-assist game in the playoffs, tying Wilt Chamberlain for the most all-time. See which team to back at SportsLine. 

Why the Lakers can cover

LeBron James remains an elite player. From the All-Star break to the end of the regular season, the 39-year-old James averaged 27.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 9.5 assists while shooting 58.4% from the field, 45.0% on 3-pointers, and 76.9% from the free-throw line. So far this series, he is averaging 26.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 10.0 assists while shooting 54.5% from beyond the 3-point arc.

In addition, Anthony Davis has been elite offensively so far in this series. The 31-year-old Davis has scored 32 points in each of the first two games while averaging 12.5 rebounds. He is also shooting 61.9% from the field and 92.3% from the free-throw line. See which team to back at SportsLine. 

How to make Lakers vs. Nuggets picks

SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 219 points. The model also says one side of the spread has all the value. You can see the picks only at SportsLine. 

So who wins Lakers vs. Nuggets, and which side of the spread has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Nuggets vs. Lakers spread you need to jump on, all from the model on a 90-58 roll on top-rated NBA picks this season, and find out.