Denver Nuggets vs LA Lakers Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart for March 19 | 2024-25 NBA Season

Conference rivals LA Lakers and the Denver Nuggets lock horns in a high-stakes showdown at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday. The playoff positioning race is on a knife-edge as the regular season nears its final stages, with four games separating the Houston Rockets in second and the Minnesota Timberwolves in seventh.

This will be the fourth and final regular-season matchup between the two teams, with Denver up 2-1 in the series. They won 127-102 in Nov. 23 and 131-126 last week, while the Lakers snagged a 123-100 road win on Feb. 22.

The Lakers have gone off the boil lately, with two wins in their last six games. However, both came at home, against the Phoenix Suns and the San Antonio Spurs, largely thanks to their new star backcourt of Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic.

Doncic led the way against the Suns with a team-high 33 points, while Reaves contributed 28. In the next game, the duo upped their ante, with Reaves dropping 30 points and Doncic adding 21 in a 125-109 blowout win over a shorthanded Spurs team.

The Lakers will look to avoid any more slips in the remaining games, with the team missing a few key starters, as they chase a top-four seeding.

Meanwhile, the Nuggets come into the game full of confidence after a 114-105 win against the Golden State Warriors. Star duo Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray along with young guard Christian Braun were rested.

In their absence, Aaron Gordon scored a season-high 38 points, while Russell Westbrook, the league's triple-double leader, recorded his 203rd one by tallying 12 points, 11 rebounds and 16 assists.

Denver's win came after suffering a season-worst 126-123 defeat against the league's last-placed Washington Wizards.

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Denver Nuggets vs LA Lakers Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart for March.19

Denver Nuggets Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart

It's fair to say that the Nuggets are going through a mini injury bug, with six players being listed on the injury report. Nikola Jokic (elbow/ankle) and Jamal Murray (right ankle sprain) have been downgraded after being listed as questionable. Meanwhile, Christian Braun (foot) and Aaron Gordon (calf/ankle) have been upgraded to available and are likely to suit up.

DaRon Holmes II and Julian Strawther remain absent, with the latter expected to be out for a longer period with a knee injury.

The Nuggets' starting five will most likely be: Michael Porter Jr., Russell Westbrook, Aaron Gordon, DeAndre Jordan and Christian Braun.

Point Guard	Russell Westbrook
Shooting Guard	Christian Braun	Jalen Pickett
Small Forward	Michael Porter Jr.	Hunter Tyson	Spencer Jones
Power Forward	Aaron Gordon	Peyton Watson	Zeke Nnaji
Center	DeAndre Jordan	Dario Saric

LA Lakers Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart

JJ Redick’s Lakers have been unlucky with injuries in recent weeks, with LeBron James (groin) and Rui Hachimura (knee) remaining on the sidelines at this crucial stage of the season.

Center Trey Jemison II has been upgraded to available after previously being listed as questionable due to illness. Similarly, Luka Doncic will suit up after being listed as probable with an ankle sprain. Meanwhile, Maxi Kleber is still easing his way back to full fitness as he recovers from a foot injury.

The Lakers' starting lineup could be around Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Dorian Finney-Smith, Jordan Goodwin and Jaxson Hayes.

Point Guard	Luka Doncic	Shake Milton	Bronny James
Shooting Guard	Austin Reaves	Gabe Vincent
Small Forward	Jordan Goodwin	Jarred Vanderbilt	Cam Reddish
Power Forward	Dorian Finney-Smith	Dalton Knecht	Markieff Morris
Center	Jaxson Hayes	Christian Koloko	Alex Len