The Lakers could not get the job in game 1 | OSB
Lakers vs. Nuggets odds, prediction, and betting tips for NBA Playoff Props
The will Los Angeles Lakers play in Ball Arena again to face the Denver Nuggets in game 2 of the Western Conference Finals (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). Los Angeles did not have a great game 1 against the Nuggets losing in a shootout 132-126. The Lakers just could not Nikola Jokic who went off for a triple-double. The Lakers is desperately looking for a win in this game to tie up the series 1-1 heading back Los Angeles. They cannot afford to go down early in this series against a good Nuggets team. Without home court adavantage the Lakers will have to win a game on the road to win this series. Meanwhile, the Nuggets confidence is high right now after their game 1 performance at home. Denver put up a whopping 132 points against the Lakers. They are looking to have the same performance in this game and take a 2-0 series lead heading to Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Lakers Basketball
The Lakers could not get the job in game 1 of this series. It will only get harder for Los Angeles as they have to play again in Ball Arena for this game. Denver is a great team at home, but the Lakers need to steal a game on the road somehow and what better game to do it then this one to tie up the series 1-1 heading back to Los Angeles. Look to see if Anthony Davis and LeBron James can have similar perfromances in game 1. Hopefully, for their sake too they find a way to contain Jokic.
The Lakers will need their three superstars to step it up some more in these next couple of games if they want to win this series. Los Angeles has been led by LeBron James this postseason. He is averaging 23.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 5.6 assists. Also, Anthony Davis has been great this season, averaging 22.6 points and 13.8 rebounds. D’Angelo Russell has been a great addition for the Lakers as he is averaging 15.1 points and 4.8 assists a game this season. When they’ve needed him the most Austin Reaves has also been lethal for the Laker avaraging 16.0 points a game this postseason.
In their loss against the Nuggets in game 1, Davis did everything he possibly could to try and win the game for the Lakers. He had a monster game finishing with 40 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists. James also had a great game with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists. Reaves helped out scpring 23 points and 8 assists. Los Angeles just could not stop Jokic as he did whatver he wanted on offense and made a great steal against James at the end of the game to solidify the win for the Nuggets. Simply, if the Lakers want to win this series they need to play better on the defensive side of the ball. In the loss, the Lakers shot 54.8% from the floor and 45.8% from the three-point line.
Denver Nuggets Basketball
Denver is the hottest team left in the postseason they have looked dominant at all times. None of that changed it game 1 against the Lakers. All of Denver’s stepped up during the game and contributed big time. Now, the Nuggets are looking to win again at home and take a 2-0 series lead against a dangerous Lakers team.
The Nuggets have been led by Nikola Jokic, who leads the team in points, rebounds, and assists. Jokic is averaging 31.0 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 10.1 assists a game this postseason. He is literally averaging a triple-double in the postseason. Jamal Murray has helped out Jokic this postseason offensively averaging 26.3 points and 6.3 assists a game. He will need to continue to help out Jokic if they want to win this series. Michael Porter Jr. has been solid this postseason averaging 14.5 points and 7.8 rebounds. Finally, Aaron Gordon has stepped up this postseason averaging 13.0 points and 5.8 rebounds. This is a scary team with lots of contributors on the glass and on offense.
In their win against the Nuggets in game 1, Jokic was quite literally unstoppable as he finished the game with an incredible 34 points, 21 rebounds, and 14 assists. Los Angeles did not have an answer for him all night. Murray also had an outstanding game finishing with 31 points and 5 assists. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 21 points in the win as he has had back-to-back great games for the Nuggets. Every starter for the Nuggets had 12+ points. If the Nuggets play like this every game they will sweep the Lakers. In the win, the Nuggets shot 54.9% from the floor and 46.9% from the three-point line.
Lakers vs. Nuggets Betting Odds
Betting odds courtesy of Caesars
- Spread: Denver Nuggets -5.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 226.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Los Angeles Lakers (+196), Denver Nuggets (-240)
Lakers vs. Nuggets Betting Trends
– Los Angeles is 22-25-1 ATS on the road this season.
– Denver is 30-17-1 ATS at home this season.
– Los Angeles is 34-31-1 ATS in conference games this season.
– Denver is 36-27-1 ATS in conference games this season.
– The Lakers are 24-19 ATS following a loss this season.
– The Nuggets are 32-28-1 ATS following a win this season.
– The Lakers are 9-4 ATS in the playoffs this season.
– The Nuggets are 7-5 ATS in the playoffs this season.
Lakers vs. Nuggets Prediction
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has been great for the Nuggets recently. In his last two games for the Nuggets he has scored 21 points in both of them. I think the Nuggets have found a way to use Caldwell-Pope offensively. They have been giving him great looks from deep and he is shooting it great above the arc. He is shooting 33.3% over higher from the three-point line in his last three games. I think he continues to play well for the Nuggets and I believe that 10.5 points is way too low for him especially with (-108) odds on it.
Lakers vs. Nuggets Prop Pick: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Over 10.5 points (-106).
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