LA Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Prediction: The Lakers keep getting worse(Somehow!)

The NBA season is on and the different fanbases have been blessed with a great number of battles already. We have seen a bunch of high-scoring games and as of now, the average scoring looks way higher than last season which will likely come down with each month. However, this hasn’t been pleasant for some fanbases and when your fanbase comes in with heavy expectations and the results are slim, it makes for a big-time criticism. It especially holds true for the winless LA Lakers as they take on the Denver Nuggets.

The Lakers terrible season continued as they lost 102:111 to the Minnesota Timberwolves despite a 28 points performance by LeBron James. This was the fifth straight loss for a team that has continued to fail the expectations time and time again. The Lakers were terrible defensively last season but strangely, they have fielded perhaps the worst offense this season, despite LeBron and Anthony Davis both being healthy!

They have shot just 23.7% from long-range which is by far the worst in the league while their field goal percentage of below 42% is also the worst. Russell Westbrook can’t be solely held responsible for their troubles and the move to bring him off-the-bench as the leader of the low-yielding second unit can pay off. LeBron and Davis have put up big numbers but these stats look hollow without the wings. The Lakers need to sort out their deep shooting woes and need someone to step it up further. The Guard rotations have been terrible thus far.

The Nuggets have put their anguishes of the last season behind for now and come into this game after beating the pesky Utah Jazz 117:101 as Bones Hyland nailed 26 points, draining seven triples. They have now won four out of their six games and after a disappointing opening night loss, they have looked dangerous. Last season, they missed Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. and now that they have returned, this team can make a lot of noise in the West. Aaron Gordon has had some big games but he continues to be inconsistent.

Michael Porter Jr. has been amazing as a scorer and rebounder while providing quality defense. Jamal Murray isn’t the same player he was before his injury but he has done his bit well. Nikola Jokic has been up-and-down offensively but has led the team once again in scoring, rebounding, and assists. Acquiring Bruce Brown has upgraded the team on both ends whereas the bench will need Bones Hyland to keep up the scoring he had against Jazz, even half of that will help! Christian Braun has been impressive in the early parts of the season whereas Deandre Jordan and Jeff Green make for a deep frontline.

• Lakers: OUT: Dennis Schroeder, Cole Swider, Thomas Bryant. QUESTIONABLE: Juan Toscano-Anderson, Anthony Davis. PROBABLE: LeBron James;
• Nuggets: OUT: Colin Gillespie. QUESTIONABLE: Davon Reed, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

• Likely 25+ Points Scorers: Nikola Jokic, LeBron James;
• Likely 8+ Rebound Grabbers: Nikola Jokic, LeBron James, Michael Porter Jr., Anthony Davis(QUESTIONABLE);
• Likely 6+ Assists Dishers: LeBron James, Anthony Davis.

The Nuggets beat the Lakers 110:99 just a few days in a game where the Lakers fell apart in the second half. The Nuggets are well-adept at taking advantage of teams that struggle to get it going and despite having some of the best players in the league, the Lakers have become an automatic win for the opponents. The Lakers are yet to score 110 during the season while the Nuggets have done it repeatedly.

However, I believe the Lakers will finally come up with a worthy performance on the offensive end and I see Westbrook stepping it up alongside Lonnie Walker IV. LeBron will put up big numbers but I see Nikola Jokic coming with a big-time night and burying the Lakers during the final quarter. I see the Lakers being winless again but forcing another close game. I see the points range in 215-225.