Denver at Los Angeles

This is a good time to fade the Lakers, as you don't know how healthy they are. Several Lakers are battling nagging injuries and the big one is Kobe Bryant, who is a game-time decision. Ramon Sessions' shoulder has gotten worse as well. The Lakers are 7-20 ATS in their last 27 games playing on one day of rest and 3-13 ATS in their last 16 games overall. The Lakers are also 1-11 ATS in their last 12 home games. Into town comes the young, hungry, up-tempo Denver Nuggets - tops in the NBA in scoring. While the Lakers are in good shape to get the No. 3 slot, Denver is fighting for its playoffs life, holding the No. 8 spot - just barely with Utah and Phoenix not far behind. The Nuggets are 37-17 ATS in their last 54 road games and 23-7 ATS in their last 30 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Play Denver. Plus, look for plenty of defense. Denver is playing defense, on a 4-1 run UNDER the total, and the UNDER is 4-1 in the Nuggets last five road games against a team with a home winning percentage of greater than .600. They are also 20-8 UNDER the total in their last 28 vs. a team with a winning record. With all their injuries, the Lakers will want to slow the pace down and the UNDER is 19-7 in the Lakers’ last 26 against a team with a winning record. When these teams meet the UNDER is 20-6 in the last 26 meetings, including 6-1 UNDER the total in the last seven meetings in Los Angeles. Take the points and play on the Nuggets, and take the UNDER.