The Denver Nuggets look to take another step towards a first NBA Finals appearance when they host the Los Angeles Lakers for Game 2 of the Western Conference finals on Thursday night. Denver took the series opener at home. They are improving to 7-0 when hosting a game this postseason, and will try to take a 2-0 edge in the series on Thursday.
Los Angeles suffered its first series-opening loss in the playoffs this year but has won at least one road game in each of its previous two series. The NBA schedule for playoffs has this as the only game on the slate on Thursday. So, let’s take a closer look and come up with our best Lakers vs Nuggets prediction for Game 2.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets Information
Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets
Location of the game: Ball Arena, Denver, CO.
Date & Time: Thursday, May 16. 8:30 PM ET.
How to watch: ESPN
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets Recent Scores
Denver’s win in the series opener made the home team 5-0 when these two teams have squared off this season. With the host squad winning all four of the teams’ regular-season matchups.
Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets Betting Analysis
Lakers Need Better Start
The Los Angeles Lakers had their troubles from the start of Game 1, falling behind by 12 after the first quarter and trailing by as many as 21 before staging a rally that had them within three points and with the ball in the closing minutes. LeBron James had a shot to tie the game but missed a 3-pointer, and Denver was able to close it out. But the game was lost in the early going, when Los Angeles couldn’t stop the Nuggets offense.
The Lakers weren’t one of the top teams in the NBA team stats for scoring defense during the regular season, ranking 20th, but they’ve been much better since the trade deadline. That defense must show up in this one if Los Angeles is going to gain a split.
Forward Anthony Davis was fantastic in Game 1, finishing with 40 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks, and he’ll have to keep up that aggressive play in Game 2. James had 26 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists, while Austin Reeves had 23 points and eight assists. But it’s not the offense that needs to improve on Thursday night.
Nuggets Keep Rolling Behind Jokic
The Denver Nuggets odds for winning a title rest with the play of center Nikola Jokic, and after Game 1, you would have to say those odds are pretty good. Jokic was among the NBA player stats leaders in a number of categories, but he’s outdone himself in this postseason, finishing Game 1 with 34 points, 21 rebounds, and 14 assists, his sixth triple-double of the playoffs.
Denver as a team was fantastic offensively, with six players finishing with 12 points or more, including Jamal Murray finishing with 31 points. As a team, the Nuggets shot 54.9% from the floor, including 46.9% from 3-point range, but can that hot shooting continue in Game 2?
Guard Bruce Brown was a big boost off the bench for the Nuggets in the opener, finishing with 16 points, four rebounds, and two assists in 24 minutes of playing time.
Updates
James and Davis both have lingering foot injuries that have them listed as game-time decisions for Game 2, but it would be a shock if either one of them didn’t suit up and play their normal minutes.
Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
Moneyline: If your Lakers vs Nuggets prediction is going to be on the moneyline, you’ll get Denver at -210 or Los Angeles at +175.
Spread: Just like the opener, the Denver Nuggets are favored to win Game 2, giving 5.5 points on a point-spread bet. You’ll get –110 odds no matter which team you take as part of your NBA predictions on that wager.
Over/Under: The over/under has been set at 226.5 points, with -110 odds available on either side of that bet.
Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets Betting Prediction
This should be another great game, as neither team could come away from Game 1 feeling like they didn’t play well. Still, with the game being played in Denver, we have to go with the favorite when we make our Lakers vs Nuggets prediction.
- Go with Denver to get the win and cover in another high-scoring contest.
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