NBA Opening Night picks: Will Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns cover the spread vs Lakers, Warriors?

As NBA Opening Night has finally arrived, the league has scheduled two key matchups to kickstart the new season. The games set later for later today are between the Denver Nuggets and LA Lakers and the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors.

Interestingly, the Nuggets will be receiving their rings Tuesday at Ball Arena in Denver. The Lakers will hope to spoil the 2023 NBA champions' night.

Meanwhile, Chris Paul is set to make his debut with his new team, the Golden State Warriors, against his former team the Phoenix Suns.

Despite all of the anticipation, it looks like Bradley Beal will make his Suns debut in a different game as the team remains "cautious" about his back ailment, as per The Athletic's Shams Charania.

With that said, here's a look at NBA Opening Night picks and if the Nuggets and the Suns can cover the spread against the Lakers and the Warriors.

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A look at the Nuggets and Suns possibly covering the spread on NBA Opening Night

Denver Nuggets vs. LA Lakers Odds:

• Spread: Lakers +5.5 (-114), Nuggets -5.5 (-106)
• Moneyline: Lakers (+168), Nuggets (-200)
• Total (228.5): Lakers -106, Nuggets -114

The first game scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST will be the matchup between the Denver Nuggets and the LA Lakers. According to CBS Sports, the Nuggets can cover the spread vs. the Lakers as the team is being led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.

The last time fans saw the Nuggets big man on the court was when he dominated the Miami Heat in the 2023 NBA Finals. In that series, Jokic put up 30.2 points (58.3% shooting, including 42.1% from 3-point range), 14.0 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game.

Murray, on the other hand, was no slouch either as he averaged 21.4 points (45.1% shooting, including 38.7% from 3-point range), 10.0 assists and 6.2 rebounds per game.

Golden State Warriors vs. Phoenix Suns

• Spread: Suns +3(-110), Warriors -3 (-110)
• Moneyline: Suns (+126), Warriors (-148)
• Total (233): Suns -108, Warriors -112

According to CBS Sports, the Phoenix Suns have one of the most dynamic offensive tandems in Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. Despite the absence of Bradley Beal, the team still has a chance of covering the spread against the Golden State Warriors.

Although the team got bounced out of the second round in the 2023 playoffs, Kevin Durant still managed to put up All-Star numbers. He averaged 29.5 points (45.3% shooting, including 22.2% from 3-point range), 9.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game.

Similar to Durant, Devin Booker held his own as well when he averaged 30.8 points (56.9% shooting, including 54.8% from 3-point range), 7.8 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game.