Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers 5/20/2023 Expert Picks, Tips and Odds
West Finals – Game 3, DEN leads series 2-0
The Denver Nuggets visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday for Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinals best-of-seven series. Denver took a 2-0 lead in the series after defeating Los Angeles 108-103 in Game 2 on Thursday. Jamal Murray was the leading scorer for Denver with 37 points, including 23 points scored in the 4th quarter. Nikola Jokic posted another triple-double with 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 12 assists.
Nikola Jokic is leading Denver in scoring, rebounding, and assists with averages of 31.0 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 10.1 assists per game. Jamal Murray is the second leading scorer with an average of 26.3 points per game and one of six players for Denver averaging double figures in scoring. As a team, Denver is scoring an average of 117.2 points per game, shooting 49.4% overall and 38.7% from three-point territory.
The Denver Nuggets will be gunning for a 3-0 series lead after taking down the Lakers in a thrilling 108-103 win in Game 2 on Thursday. Jamal Murray got off to a slow start, but he poured in 23 points in the fourth quarter to finish with 37 points, ten rebounds, and five assists; Nikola Jokic racked up a triple-double of 23 points with 17 rebounds and 12 assists, while Michael Porter Jr. chipped in with 16 points on five of 10 shooting. As a team, the Nuggets shot just 43 percent from the field and 14 of 38 from the 3-point line as they struggled to find their offense outside of Jokic for a majority of the contest to trail by 11 points before they dominated the fourth quarter to escape with the narrow win thanks to a late flurry from Murray.
- Denver is 0-4-1 ATS in their last five meetings with the LA Lakers.
- The Denver Nuggets are 6-3 SU in their previous nine games against the Lakers.
- The Nuggets are 2-7 SU in their last nine games on the road.
Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers 5/20/2023 Expert Picks, Tips and Odds
Los Angeles does not have to win Game 3 to remain in the series, but the series will be all but over if the Lakers lose on Saturday. In Thursday’s loss to Denver, the leading scorer for Los Angeles was LeBron James, with 22 points. The Lakers shot just 43.9% overall and 26.7% from three-point territory. Once again, Los Angeles was out-rebounded by Denver 49-40, but the Lakers committed fewer turnovers at 12 than 17 for the Nuggets.
LeBron James is leading Los Angeles in scoring and assists with averages of 23.6 points and 5.6 assists per game, while Anthony Davis is the second-leading scorer and the leading rebounder with 22.6 points and 13.8 rebounds per game. Los Angeles has five players averaging double figures in scoring and, as a team, is scoring an average of 113.5 points per game while shooting 47.5% overall and 33.8% from 3-point territory.
The Los Angeles Lakers will kick themselves after coming up short on Thursday despite leading most of the contest. LeBron James led the team with 22 points, nine rebounds, ten assists, and four steals; Austin Reaves added 22 points of his own; Rui Hachimura provided 21 points off the bench on eight of 10 shooting, while Anthony Davis chipped in with 18 points, 14 rebounds, and four blocks. As a team, the Lakers shot 43 percent from the field and eight of 30 from the 3-point line as they kept the Nuggets in check and led for most of the contest until the fourth quarter when they couldn’t find their offense. Dennis Schroder had a rough night as he scored just four points on two of nine shooting off the bench, while Anthony Davis shot just four of 15 from the field while committing four turnovers.
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the LA Lakers’ last six games with the Nuggets.
- The Los Angeles Lakers are 6-0 ATS in their last six games at home.
- The Lakers are 8-1 SU in their previous nine games at home against Denver.
Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers. The NBA pick for this game is the Los Angeles Lakers. When facing the Los Angeles Lakers on the road at Crypto.com Arena, the Denver Nuggets needed help to meet the expectations set by bookmakers. They still need to cover the point spread in five out of the last six matchups in that venue. However, despite holding a 2-0 series lead, the Nuggets are expected to face a defeat on Saturday as the Lakers bounce back with a strong performance on their home court. The Lakers have demonstrated their ability to cover the point spread in their last six home games and have been successful in protecting in 19 out of their last 26 games following a straight-up loss. Keep an eye on Anthony Davis, who is anticipated to deliver an outstanding performance on Saturday. The final score prediction favors the LA Lakers to win the game and cover the point spread, with a projected score of 118-109.
NBA Starting Time: 3:30 PM ET
Location: Crypto.com Arena, CA
Date: Sunday, April 9, 2023
TV: ESPN
NBA Odds: Utah Jazz +16.5
NBA Totals: 233.5
