High-flying Denver Nuggets will have a 10th straight NBA victory in sight when they welcome the Los Angeles Lakers to the Ball Arena on Sunday morning.
Albeit not as impressive as their hosts, the visitors have also been outstanding over their last nine games and now have the opportunity to make it eight wins in 10.
Match preview
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The All-Star break could not have come at a worse time for the Denver Nuggets, who were starting to hit full gear with eight victories on the bounce, but they wasted no time getting their groove back in a 129-115 triumph over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday.
After a close opening 36 minutes of action, which saw Michael Malone's men hold a narrow advantage heading into the fourth quarter, they pulled away in the final knockings of the contest to wrap up an emphatic win on home turf.
Nikola Jokic had another monster performance with 29 points, 17 rebounds and nine assists, but it was Jamal Murray who led the Nuggets in scoring with a whopping 34 points on 12-18 shooting from the field, including 7-10 from three-point land.
Having improved their record for the season to 37-19, the Nuggets have moved up to second in the Western Conference standings, albeit still a considerable way off current leaders Oklahoma City Thunder.
Sunday's game sees the home side face off against an opposing outfit that have barely had a sniff in this fixture of late, winning just one of the last 13 editions across regular-season and playoff action.
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Shortly after completing the biggest off-season move with the acquisition of Luka Doncic, the Los Angeles Lakers saw off the Utah Jazz in Doncic's first outing but went on to lose to the same outfit and the Charlotte Hornets in subsequent outings.
Still getting up to speed following his recent recovery from a calf problem, the Slovenian guard was rested for his side's clash against the Portland Trail Blazers, which they won 110-102 at the Moda Center.
Despite ending the first quarter with a healthy 13-point lead, JJ Redick's men headed into the final 12 minutes up by just a point before turning on the style to nip any attempt of a Blazers fightback in the bud.
Becoming the first 40-year-old in NBA history to tally multiple 40-point games, LeBron James was on fire for the Lakers alongside Austin Reaves, who chipped in with 32 as both men combined for 65% of their team's total points tally.
This weekend's visitors will now set out to end a brief road trip on a high before playing six consecutive matches in front of their fans against the Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers (2), New Orleans Pelicans and New York Knicks.
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Team News
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Point guard Luka Doncic was given a breather due to injury management against the Portland Trail Blazers last time out, but he could return to suit up in this one.
However, Doncic's ex-Mavericks teammate, Maxi Kleber, is a guaranteed absentee for the away side after undergoing surgery on his right foot earlier this month.
Jarred Vanderbilt is a huge doubt to feature here as the Lakers continue to manage his involvement, having struggled with injuries for large chunks of the current campaign.
Payton Watson is currently sidelined with a right knee sprain but is set to be re-evaluated within the next fortnight to determine his readiness to return to action.
DaRon Holmes II remains indefinitely out for the home side and also misses out here, while Vlatko Cancar is still yet to fully recuperate from a knee problem he picked up in November.
Denver Nuggets possible starting five:
Murray, Braun; Porter Jr., Gordon; Jokic
Los Angeles Lakers possible starting five:
Doncic, Reaves; LeBron, Hachimura; Hayes
We say: Nuggets to win by 6+ points
The Denver Nuggets are playing arguably their best basketball since their championship year in 2023 and will take some stopping here.
While we expect the Lakers to pose a stern test, we can see the home side coming away with the win at the sound of the final buzzer.
Adepoju Marvellous
