Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets 2011 NBA Preview, Odds, and Predictions: All Star Kobe Bryant will lead the Los Angeles Lakers on the road to the Pepsi Center to take on Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets on Friday night at 10:30 PM ET on ESPN. The Lakers are coming off a loss but are 8-2 in their last ten to enter the game at 31-13 1st in the Pacific while the Nuggets have won 1 and come in at 24-17 3rd in the Northwest. Rumors have been flying of a possible trade of Carmelo Anthony since last season ended and as recently as this week he had been authorized to meet with the New Jersey Nets to discuss a possible three team deal that would land him with the Nets but the new owner said the deal was dead. Anthony had 35 points in a home win over the Thunder but was booed by the crowd. “It was personal. I wanted to get it going early for myself and my team,” Anthony said. “I’m still here, I’m still playing. I’m still a Denver Nugget. I still have games to play. At this point,” Anthony said, “I don’t expect any cheers.” The odds makers at Bodog have the Los Angeles Lakers a -1 1/2 point favorite on the road against the Denver Nuggets.
The Lakers are coming off a road loss 109-100 to the Dallas Mavericks to move to 19-25 ATS for the season. Pau Gasol led the Lakers with 23 points 5 rebounds and 4 assists while Kobe Bryant added 21 points 4 rebounds and 10 dimes. “We were making mistakes all night on defense, because offensively things were going well for us,” said Bryant. “It was one of those games that was fool’s gold. We were playing well offensively and got a lead, but we were making mistakes defensively.” Vegas odds makers have the Los Angeles Lakers +200 to win the 2010-2011 NBA Championship.
The Nuggets have won 4 of 5 and are coming off the 112-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder at home to move to 16-22-3 ATS for the season. Anthony led the way with 35 points and 7 rebounds while Nene Hilario and Chauncey Billups poured in 16 points apiece. Denver is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Lakers. Vegas odds makers have the over/under for the total score at 211 points combined of the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets.
I predict a Laker win on the road!
Note: Rich Fritz is a Blog Writer on NSAwins.com and not a pro handicapper. For expert NBA Predictions against the Vegas spreads please visit the NSAwins.com homepage for top predictions today from the National Sports Advisors.