The NBA tips off on Tuesday as the defending champion Denver Nuggets take on the Los Angeles Lakers in what should be a great atmosphere inside Ball Arena in Ball Arena, in Denver, Colorado. They tip it off at 7:30pm and the home fans get to see their championship banner raised on the night. 

Betonline has installed the Nuggets as a 4 1/2 favorite (-210). 

Denver Nuggets Betting Preview

The Nuggets (0-0) had a story book season in 2022-23 and were clearly the best team in the league en route to the top seed in the Western Conference as they steamrolled teams. They defeated the Miami Heat in five games to hoist the trophy led by reigning perennial MVP Nikola Jokic, who averaged 24 points per game last season to go along with 9.8 assists and 11.6 rebounds to pace all players on the squad. 

Denver is +550 to repeat as champs and as long as their star and franchise player stays healthy, they will be right there again. 

Denver's win total is 52.5 for the season by most pundits. They went 53-39 last season so the win total is right around where it should be. They had the 5^th best offensive rating in the league, and they averaged 117.6 points per contest, while allowing 114.2. They did play in a ton of close games and would also get the occasional blowout win. 

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview

The Lakers (0-0) are an interesting team but future HOF'er LeBron James is a year older, and it will be interesting to see if he plays more than 60 or so games. Last season, the Lakers went 43-39 before getting swept against the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals. The Lakers are +1200 to win the NBA Title, and +750 to win the Western Conference. 

Their win total sits at 46.5 for the season. 

They were able to sneak into the playoffs thanks to a late run and made some noise before being overwhelmed by Denver. James is 38 years old, and he will be gunning for one more title run to add to his already legendary career. The concern is his veteran legs, can they handle one deep playoff run. This is a team that still does not have an identity.  

James averaged 26 points per game in 55 games played and this season he needs to see more balance and contributions from his teammates. His teammate Anthony Davis needs to stay healthy and engaged or this team has no chance of making a deep run. Davis netted 25.9 points per game and hauled down 12 boards per contest. He is listed at +900 to win Defensive Player of the Year Award. 

Game Odds Series Trends and Free Pick

Dating back to last season, Denver is 3-2 in their last five games against the spread. They are 19-22 in their roadgames against the spread and the totals have gone over in two of their last five games and 16 out of their last 41 games at home. 

Dating back to last season, the Lakers are 4-1 in their last five games and 2-3 in their last five games against the number. They are also 19-21 in their road games against the spread and the totals have gone over in five of their last five games. The totals have also gone over in 18 of their last 41 games at home.

The buzz and the excitement of lifting a banner will give the Nuggets some much needed energy in the season opener. Denver - 4 1/2