The Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets meet for the fourth and final time in the 2024-25 NBA regular season at Crypto. com Arena on Thursday night. And both teams are coming off wins, meaning this has been set up nicely to be a collision between two titans of the Western Conference.
Lakers Aim to Extend Home Winning Streak
The Lakers, who are coming off a 125-109 victory against the San Antonio Spurs, have begun to click at Home. Before that, they beat the Phoenix Suns, 107-96, to end a four-game losing streak. The Lakers have played with chip on their shoulders as head coach JJ Redick has risen to the occasion, especially in their latest contest.
A dominant first quarter against the Spurs established the tone, with the Los Angeles’s lead swelling to as high as 10 points early on and continued to expand. On the offensive end, the Lakers were paced by Austin Reaves, who scored an impressive 30 points with seven rebounds and six assists. Luka Doncic was critical as well, just one rebound from a triple-double.
Currently just behind the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference standings, the Lakers are still in playoff contention. There are two important home games Thursday night, and two more to seal yet another Chicago matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks in the playoffs, and another against the Chicago Bulls, and the PBA champs, so a win against the Nuggets would bolster their playoff hopes.
That was the last training data was in October 2023.
After suffering a disappointing 126-123 loss to the Washington Wizards, the Denver Nuggets picked themselves up with a solid 114-105 victory against the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center. Also, despite star players Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray being sidelined by injuries.
Aaron Gordon stepped up in their absence, scoring a season-high 38 points on 14-of-23 shooting. Michael Porter Jr. also got his offensive groove going, scoring 21 points and posting his second consecutive 20-point game for the first time since early February.
At 44-25 on the season, the Nuggets remain in the hunt for the second seed in the Western Conference in a tight race where just four wins separate second place from seventh. A win against the Lakers would be their third straight on the road, their first stretch like that since late February.
Key Matchups & Team News
Los Angeles Lakers:
The Lakers will again be without veteran star LeBron James (groin) as well as forward Maxi Kleber (foot). James, however, is said to be closing in on a return. Rui Hachimura is out with a knee issue, and is not expected to play.
Austin Reaves has been carrying the load for the Lakers’ offense, averaging nearly 31 points in his past four games. In addition, as he's registered a combined 78 points in three meetings with Denver this season, he will certainly be one to keep an eye on.
Denver Nuggets:
The Nuggets have some injury issues to monitor going into this matchup. Julian Strawther (knee) and DaRon Holmes II (Achilles) are still out. Murray (ankle), Jokic (elbow), and Christian Braun (foot) are all listed as game-time decisions for the game and will be tested for fitness late.
If Jokic and Murray can’t go, the Nuggets will once again need to depend on Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. to shoulder the offensive burden. There’s also the added intrigue with Russell Westbrook being in the backcourt for the Nuggets against his former team.
Projected Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Lakers:
PG: Luka Doncic
SG: Jordan Goodwin
SF: Austin Reaves
PF: Dorian Finney-Smith
C: Jaxson Hayes
Denver Nuggets:
PG: Jamal Murray
SG: Russell Westbrook
SF: Aaron Gordon
PF: Michael Porter Jr.
C: Nikola Jokic
What’s at Stake?
This is a big game with both clubs jockeying for key playoff positioning. The Lakers are looking to strengthen their case and gain momentum ahead of the playoffs, and the Nuggets hope to reinforce their claim to the No. 2 seed.
It should be a heavyweight fight, with the result likely determined by the status of the Denver stars who have been playing through injuries. The Nuggets will have a massive edge if Jokic and Murray are cleared to play. But if they’re kept on the sidelines, the Lakers’ newfound home dominance and Austin Reaves’ scoring explosion could be enough to tip the balance in the home team’s favor.
Prediction: Lakers 116 - 107 Nuggets
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