Nuggets-Lakers Preseason: Expect a Glorified Scrimmage, Not a Scoring Fest

The Nuggets roll into Crypto.com Arena for a Friday preseason tune-up that'll look nothing like the playoff battles these two have waged in recent years. This is October basketball in its purest form—rotation experiments, camp invites logging real minutes, and stars wrapped in bubble wrap before the games actually count.

Speaking of stars, the Lakers are down two massive pieces. Luka Doncic, fresh off averaging 33.5 per game last season, is sitting for maintenance. DeMar DeRozan joins him on the pine for rest purposes. That's a crater-sized hole in LA's offensive firepower, and it comes at a time when neither coaching staff has any incentive to push tempo or lean on their top guys beyond 20 minutes.

Denver will trot out similar preseason logic—expect Jokić and Murray to play a half at most before the clipboard brigade takes over. When you're running 15-20 deep into your roster with players fighting for two-way deals, offensive rhythm evaporates fast.

The market hung 232.5 on this one, seemingly forgetting it's mid-October. That number prices in regular-season efficiency that simply won't exist tonight. DarkHorse likes the under 232.5 with moderate confidence, and it's hard to argue. This one has grinder written all over it.