Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets 5/18/2023 Odds, Predictions and Tips
West Finals – Game 2, Denver leads 1-0
The Los Angeles Lakers will stay in Denver, Colorado, for the pivotal Game 2 of their Western Conference Finals series against the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets currently hold a 1-0 lead in the series, courtesy of their 132-126 victory in Game 1 on Tuesday. Anthony Davis emerged as the leading scorer for the Lakers in that game, showcasing his skills with an impressive 40-point performance. Despite a valiant effort in the fourth quarter, the Lakers failed to overcome the 18-point deficit they faced after trailing 72-54 at halftime.
Throughout the postseason, LeBron James has been the primary offensive force and facilitator for the Lakers, averaging 23.6 points and 5.6 assists per game. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis has consistently contributed as the team’s second-leading scorer and leading rebounder, averaging 22.1 points and 13.8 rebounds per game. With a well-rounded offense, the Lakers boast five players averaging double figures in scoring, and as a collective unit, they have been averaging 113.6 points per game.
- The total went OVER in 10 of the Los Angeles Lakers’ last 12 games on the road.
- The LA Lakers are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games on the road against Denver.
- The Lakers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games against an opponent in the Western Conference.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets 5/18/2023 Odds, Predictions and Tips
With the second game of the series taking place on their home court, the Denver Nuggets have their sights set on extending their lead to 2-0 and maintaining the crucial home-court advantage. In Game 1, the Nuggets exhibited their offensive prowess by shooting an impressive 54.9% from the field and converting 46.9% of their shots from beyond the arc. A standout performance came from Jokic, who made a remarkable triple-double with 34 points, 21 rebounds, and 14 assists.
The Nuggets also asserted their dominance on the boards, out-rebounding the Lakers by a significant margin of 47-30. Jamal Murray provided valuable scoring support to complement Jokic’s performance, contributing 31 points to the team’s cause.
Nikola Jokic has been the leading force for the Nuggets, excelling in scoring, rebounding, and playmaking. He boasts impressive averages of 30.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 9.9 assists per game. Jamal Murray has emerged as the team’s second-leading scorer, maintaining an average of 26.1 points per game. Denver’s offensive attack is well-balanced, with six players averaging double figures in scoring, and as a collective unit, they have been averaging an impressive 117.8 points per game.
- The Denver Nuggets are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games at home against the LA Lakers.
- Denver is 12-3 ATS in their last 15 games against an opponent in the Pacific Division.
- The Nuggets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games played on a Thursday.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets. The NBA pick for this game is the Denver Nuggets. The Denver Nuggets got off to a strong start in the Western Conference Finals series, taking a 1-0 lead against the LA Lakers with a victory in Game 1. They now have the opportunity to further assert their dominance by securing a 2-0 lead with another win in Game 2. Trends suggest that the OVER has been a profitable outcome in recent games involving the Lakers in Denver, with
seven of the last nine games cashing in on the OVER. Additionally, in the previous 51 matchups between the Lakers and the Nuggets, the OVER has hit in 33 of those games. In Game 1 of this series, the two teams combined for a total of 258 points, exceeding the closing line by 21.5 points. These statistics indicate that both teams have been involved in high-scoring affairs, making the OVER a favorable betting option.
Furthermore, the OVER has been successful in 12 of the Lakers’ last 16 road games, further reinforcing the likelihood of a high-scoring contest. Taking all these factors into consideration, the prediction for the final score is a Denver Nuggets victory with a projected score of 117-111.
NBA Starting Time: 8:30 PM ET
Location: Ball Arena in Denver, CO
Date: Thursday, May 18, 2023
TV: ESPN
NBA Odds: Denver Nuggets -5.5
NBA Totals: 226.5
