The Los Angeles Lakers (19-21) will try to extend their improbable five-game winning streak tonight when they return to the Mile High City to take on the Denver Nuggets (26-13).
It's hard to believe given their laundry list of injuries, but the Lakers have been the hottest team in the NBA over the past week. L.A.'s latest unlikely victory was a hard-fought 136-134 win over the Kings in Sacramento. LeBron James was the hero once again with 37 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, but Los Angeles also received a huge boost from pint-sized point guard Dennis Schroder, who dropped 27 points and cooly hit two free throws with 3.6 seconds remaining to ice the game.
Denver, meanwhile, has won eight of its last 10 games to move into sole possession of first place in the Western Conference. The Nuggets are riding a two-game winning streak of their own and are fresh off a resounding 121-108 victory over the Cavaliers in which they shot 58% from the field and 49% from beyond the arc.
This is the fourth and final meeting of the season between Los Angeles and Denver. The Lakers hold a 2-1 advantage in the series, and have outscored the Nuggets by 18 points over that span.
Lakers vs Nuggets best odds
The Nuggets opened as 8.5-point favorites at most books, but that line has since ballooned to 12.5-points following news that LeBron James will sit out due to ankle soreness.
The projected total opened at 240.5 but fell to 237.5 immediately following news of James' injury status.
View the complete line movement history for Lakers vs. Nuggets.
How to watch Lakers vs Nuggets tonight
| Location | Pepsi Center, Denver, CO |
| Date | Monday, January 9, 2023 |
| Tip-off | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | SPECSN, Altitude Sports |
| Stream | NBA League Pass and fuboTV |
View all of tonight's NBA scores and matchups and check out our free NBA picks and predictions before wagering on this evening's action.
Lakers vs Nuggets key injuries
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Lakers vs Nuggets projected lineups
 Los Angeles Lakers |
 Denver Nuggets |
| PG: Dennis Schroder | PG: Jamal Murray |
| SG: Patrick Beverley | SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope |
| SF: Wenyen Gabriel | SF: Michael Porter Jr. |
| PF: Juan Toscano-Anderson | PF: Aaron Gordon |
| C: Thomas Bryant | C: Nikola Jokic |
Thomas Bryant is scheduled to make his 13th straight start in place of injured center Anthony Davis. The big-bodied Indiana alum has averaged 16.9 points and 10.6 rebounds per game since stepping in for the Lakers' All-Star pivot.
Nikola Jokic will man the middle for Denver. The reigning MVP leads all players this season with 10 triple-doubles, including three in his last five games.
Lakers vs Nuggets betting trends
- The Lakers are 4-0 ATS in their last four games following an ATS win.
- The Lakers are 5-0 ATS in their last five games after allowing 100 points or more in their previous outing.
- The Over is 6-0 in the Nuggets' last six games following an ATS win.
- The Over is 5-1 in the Nuggets' last six games overall.
