A Must-Win Game For The Lakers | Nuggets vs Lakers | OSB
Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Lakers: Western Conference Finals Game 3 Prediction, Player Props, and Betting Tips
Sam Batz
Just two games into the Western Conference Finals and the Los Angeles Lakers are already in desperation mode. The Denver Nuggets hold a 2-0 series lead, and on Saturday, May 20th LA returns home for a must-win Game 3 (5:30 PM PST, ABC). The Lakers are hoping to avoid the dreaded 0-3 series deficit with their first win of the series on Saturday. No team in NBA Playoff history has ever come back after trailing 0-3, and if Los Angeles loses Game 3, their season is essentially over. The Nuggets are playing extremely well thanks to stellar performances from their two best players, which we’ll discuss in detail later, but miraculously, Denver has somehow managed to remain unbeaten at home. The Nuggets won’t be at home in Game 3 though, and despite trailing 0-2 in the series, the Lakers are favored to win on Saturday in LA, as they too have gone undefeated at home.
The Denver Nuggets (+5, ML +175)
The Denver Nuggets are just two games away from making their first ever NBA Finals appearance in the franchise’s 46-year history. Through 13 postseason games, the Nuggets are 10-3 (76.9%), and after winning both Games 1 and 2, are a perfect 8-0 at home. Denver’s roster is loaded with talent, but Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray have been on another level. Jokic recorded his 4th consecutive triple-double on Thursday, and is now averaging a triple-double with 30.4 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game, while Murray recorded 30+ points in both games against LA, and is coming off an incredible Game 2 performance where he scored 23-points in the 4th quarter alone. Denver is poised to make it to the Finals, but need to overcome a Lakers side who, like the Nuggets, have not lost at home.
The Los Angeles Lakes (-5, ML -223)
The LA Lakers improbable playoff run is in jeopardy, and without a win in Game 3, it will more than likely come to an end. The Lakers are down 0-2 to Denver after failing to win a game on the road against the top-seed in the West. LA is back home for Game 3 and is favored to win because 1) the Lakers are unbeaten at home and 2) the Nuggets don’t pose much of a threat on the road. Lebron James and Anthony Davis are both averaging double-doubles this postseason, but other than Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, the rest of the Lakers lineup hasn’t done much against Denver. The Lakers shot just 26.7% (8/30) from the 3-point line in Game 2, which won’t suffice against a top-tier team like Denver, and unless the Lakers can improve, they could be looking down the barrel of a Conference Final sweep.
Nuggets vs. Lakers: Game 3 Odds
Team | Spread | Total (O/U) | Moneyline |
Denver Nuggets | +5 (-110) | Ov 223.5 (-110) | +175 |
Los Angeles Lakers | -5 (-110) | Un 223.5 (-110) | -223 |
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Nuggets vs. Lakers: Postseason Stats
Denver Nuggets (1) 116.5 107.8 49.0% 38.5% 44.9 11.8 118.9 110.9 8-0 (100.0%) 2-3 (40.0%) | Stat Type Points/Game Opponent Points/Game Field Goal % Three-Point % Rebounds/Game Turnovers/Game Offensive Rating Defensive Rating Home Record (Win-Rate) Away Record (Win-Rate) | Los Angeles Lakers (7) 112.7 109.1 47.3% 33.3% 45.1 12.4 112.1 108.4 6-0 (100.0%) 2-6 (25.0%) |
Nuggets vs. Lakers: Postseason Betting Trends
Denver Nuggets
- 7-6 ATS in the postseason
- 2-3 ATS on the ROAD in the postseason
- 7-6 O/U record in the postseason
- 1-2 as UNDERDOGS in the postseason
- 1-2 as UNDERDOGS on the ROAD in the postseason
Los Angeles Lakers
- 10-4 ATS in the postseason
- 6-0 ATS at HOME in the postseason
- 7-7 O/U record in the postseason
- 6-1 as FAVORITES in the postseason
- 6-0 as FAVORITES at HOME in the postseason
Nuggets vs. Lakers: Bold Player Prop
D’Angelo Russell (Lakers Point Guard): Over 13.5 Points (+100)
D’Angelo Russell is averaging 9.0 points per game against the Nuggets in the Conference Finals. He posted just 8 points in Game 1 and 10 points in Game 2. It’s safe to say D’Lo has not played well thus far in the series. But away games are not his forte, which means no one is happier to be back in LA than D’Angelo Russell. He is averaging 18.2 points per game at home in these playoffs, and in a must-win situation, look for D’Lo to make a positive impact in Game 3. I predict D’Angelo Russell will go over 13.5 points on Saturday.
Nuggets vs. Lakers Game 3 Prediction
Take the Denver Nuggets to cover the spread in Game 3. Denver is undoubtedly the better team, and the only reason the Lakers are favored is because of the location of the game. The Nuggets are 2-3 on the road, but average 118.2 points per away game. The Lakers are 6-0 in LA, but average 117.7 points per game at home. It will be a close game, and the Nuggets might even take home the win, but I’m siding with logic, and predict the Denver Nuggets will cover the spread on Saturday.
Prediction: Denver Nuggets Cover The Spread (+5)
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