The Nuggets are coming into this game with a 41-19 record this season and they are currently sitting in 3rd place in the Western Conference. They have been heating up in their recent games as they have won their last 5 straight, but 3 of those wins also came at home. They have won their last 2 straight games on the road with wins coming against the Trail Blazers and the Warriors, but prior to those 2 wins, they had lost 4 of their last 5 games on the road and they have definitely struggled more in those games as they are only 17-14 on the road this season. Being on the road is where they have been more vulnerable to losing this season and they could be at a loss here as well since Jamal Murray left their last game against the Heat early with an injury and could be out for this game now, or at least playing with a tweaked injury. They are going up against a Lakers team that is 33-28 this season and is currently sitting in 10th place in the Western Conference. They have been struggling to stay over .500 for a lot of the season but recently they have been much better as they are starting to get some separation in the standings. They are 5.5 games ahead of the next team as the Lakers now have a bit of a cushion in the final spot for the play-in tournament and they have been playing well recently as they have won their last 2 straight as well as 6 of their last 8 games and are hungry to climb into a higher seed in the Western Conference. They have also been much better at home as they have won their last 4 straight games there and are 21-9 at home this season. The Lakers are also going to have some extra incentive here since they have lost their last 7 straight games against the Nuggets, including 2 losses this season and getting swept 4-0 by them in last year's playoffs. The Lakers are going to be hungry for revenge here and they are going to get up for this game at home to finally snap their losing streak against the Nuggets. The Lakers will cover the spread in this game.