Lakers-Nuggets Series Preview: The King’s Reign Continues

The NBA Western Conference Finals are set, and it’s a showdown between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Nuggets hold homecourt advantage, especially thanks to the high altitude, a factor many visiting teams struggle to adapt to.

Lakers @ Nuggets Game Information

• Location: Ball Arena | Denver, CO
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET | TV: ESPN

This matchup is a throwback to the 2020 bubble series, and many of the same questions remain relevant today. The most prominent is whether anyone on LA’s roster can slow down Nikola Jokic.

Back then, the Lakers had big men like Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee to support Anthony Davis against Jokic. This time, the responsibility rests heavily on Davis. The fate of each game could hinge on AD’s performance against Jokic—a tall order.

Although we’re leaning towards the Lakers against the spread, the beauty of the same-game parlay is that you can still win, even if your team doesn’t.

Starting with a three-leg parlay, Austin Reaves is the first player to watch. Reaves consistently delivers, and we’re confident he can put up at least 10 points. Next is LeBron James, who’s rested and is primed for a legacy game. I’m banking on James to score a modest 20 points or more.

Finally, Davis will likely be a rebound magnet, and I foresee him pulling down at least 12.5 rebounds. This parlay offers a +173 price at the FanDuel Sportsbook.

Lakers @ Nuggets Game Odds on FanDuel Sportsbook

 

• Spread: Lakers +6 (-108) | Nuggets -6 (-112)
• Moneyline: Lakers +198 | Nuggets -240
• Total: Over 222.5 (-110) | Under 222.5 (-110)

Shifting the focus to the Nuggets, they love a fast-paced game, especially at home. Given that the Lakers are the fastest-paced team left in the playoffs, we’re predicting an OVER, with the total sitting at 222.5 points. Denver’s efficient transition offense and propensity to turn over the ball will likely contribute to a high-scoring game.

Grizzlies @ Lakers Prop Picks on FanDuel Sportsbook

• LeBron James OVER 5.5 Points (-125)
• Michael Porter Jr. OVER 2.5 Three-Pointers (+100)

In addition to our SGP picks, in terms of individual performances, James is likely to play more of a facilitator role, and we anticipate OVER 5.5 assists from him.

Michael Porter Jr. is expected to shine from beyond the arc for the Nuggets, so take OVER 2.5 made threes. Given LeBron’s defensive style, Porter Jr. will likely have plenty of opportunities to shoot from the perimeter.