Don’t look now, but the Denver Nuggets look to be finding their stride again. They enter tonight’s matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers on a nine-game winning streak with the resurgence of Jamal Murray being a key part of the turnaround. This will be the first matchup between these two teams since the blockbuster trade centered around Luka Doncic.
On the season overall, Jamal Murray is averaging 21.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.9 rebounds. He is shooting 38.6% from beyond the three-point arc on 5.8 perimeter attempts per game. Both these Western Conference teams have deep playoff aspirations and this will be an interesting measuring stick matchup following the eventful trade deadline.
The Nuggets enter tonight’s matchup as 6.5-point favorites and are -250 on the Moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Lakers are +205 underdogs on the Moneyline with the game total set at 244.5.
With the stage set, here are my favorite Jamal Murray prop bets ahead of the Saturday night matchup.
Best Jamal Murray Prop Bets on DraftKings Sportsbook
Jamal Murray’s props are listed at over/under 22.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 2.5 made three-pointers and 31.5 combined points, rebounds and assists.
Jamal Murray Over 22.5 Points (-110)
It was a rocky start to the season for Jamal Murray with concerns rising about his future outlook. After a frustrating Olympic performance, rust remained on Murray and he failed to create separation in a way that is typically his standard. Things changed midway through the season and Murray now looks back to the high-caliber talent that he has proven to be.
Over the past 17 games, Murray has averaged 25.6 points per game and 6.1 assists while shooting 54.0% from the field and 41.0% on three-point attempts. He exploded for a career-high 55 points against the Trail Blazers in the final game before the All-Star break and has been the Nuggets’ leading scorer in three of the past four games.
Murray scored just 14 points against this Lakers team in the lone matchup with them this season. This was back in November amid the Kentucky product’s notable struggles. Over the past eight matchups in the regular season and playoffs, Murray has averaged 24.0 points per game against the Lakers.
Expect Denver to make a clear effort to put their star guard in an attacking position against Doncic and for Murray to continue his high level of scoring production. He has recorded over 22.5 points in five of his last nine games, so look for him to build off this tonight.
The Lakers are allowing 23.7 points per game to opposing point guards this season and are allowing 25.0 over the past seven games. Defense has climbed up the list of concerns following the addition of Luka Doncic and teams have already shown their desire to hunt him on this end of the floor without the necessary protection behind him in the frontcourt. Count on Murray to record over 22.5 points tonight for the 20th time this season.
Jamal Murray to Score 30+ Points (+380)
To take it a step further, I like Murray to reach 30 points tonight against the Lakers and love getting the +380 odds offered on DraftKings Sportsbook. He has recorded 30 or more points in eight games this season, including three of his last four.
Getting a chance to add Luka Doncic at the trade deadline was too good of an opportunity to pass up from the Lakers’ perspective. But, the defensive concerns have now skyrocketed with the organization not having a chance to round out a proper roster around him. Jaxson Hayes and Alex Len will not be able to protect Doncic in the way guys like Dereck Lively II, P.J. Washington, and Daniel Gafford could. Expect a focused effort from the Nuggets to put Doncic in defensive actions with Jamal Murray as the primary offensive weapon.
Whatever was going on with Murray to start the season is clearly behind him with this recent stretch being some of the best basketball of his NBA career. Nikola Jokic continues to play at an MVP level, but the Nuggets need Murray to continue producing as his co-star — this is a great matchup to continue building off this. Jokic is capable of making any pass on the court, and I expect Doncic to struggle to stick to Murray in off-ball situations as well.
With Murray having reached 30+ points in three of his past four and a favorable matchup in the cards, getting +380 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook is great value worth taking a chance on tonight.
