LAKERS: (-2, O/U 188) No team is hotter than Los Angeles currently, as they have won 8 consecutive games SU. The Lakers haven't lost since the All-Star break, and they don't appear to be slowing down anytime soon. With a committed effort to get the ball inside and to play passionate defense, the Lakers are again a team to be feared in the playoffs. The Lakers are 46-19 SU and 32-32-1 ATS overall this season. Los Angeles is 24-11 SU and 20-14-1 ATS on the road this year. The Lakers are a 2 point favorite for the 2nd consecutive game they've faced the Heat. Facing the same spread on the road as they did at home shows just how far Miami has fallen of late. G Kobe Bryant is averaging team highs of 25.1 PPG and 4.8 APG this season. C Andrew Bynum has been great of late, as he's been a force in the rebounding department. Bynum is averaging 11.3 PPG and 8.4 RPG this season. The Lakers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games against a team with a home winning percentage greater than .600%. Los Angeles is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest. The Lakers are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall. The Lakers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games as the listed favorite. Los Angeles is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a SU win. The Lakers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following an ATS win. Los Angeles is 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games against the Southeast Division. The Lakers are 2-10 ATS in their last 12 Thursday games.

Projected Score: 91

NUGGETS: Denver continues to get used to life without Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups. The Nuggets have been one of the best stories in the 2nd half of the season, as they are playing as hard as any team in the NBA. Better yet, the Denver fans have completely embraced their team. The Nuggets are 37-27 SU and 30-31-3 ATS overall this season. Denver is currently in 5th place in the Western Conference heading into tonight. After the blockbuster trade went down, it was widely considered that the Nuggets would fall completely out of the playoff chase. Denver is 11-20 SU and 15-16 ATS on the road this year. The Nuggets are 2-0 ATS as the listed road underdog between 3.5 and 6 PTS this season. C Nene Hilario has been a mainstay for Denver this year, as he's averaging 15 PPG and 7.3 RPG. PG Ty Lawson is averaging 10.6 PPG and 4.1 APG this season. The Nuggets are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games against a team with a winning SU record. Denver is 16-4-1 ATS in their last 21 games playing on 3 or more days rest. The Nuggets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as the listed underdog. Denver is 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games following a SU loss. The Nuggets are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games following an ATS loss. Denver is 6-13-1 ATS in their last 20 games as a road underdog of up to 4.5 points.

Projected Score: 101