Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets Spread, Line, Odds, Predictions, Picks and Betting Preview for NBA Basketball Game on 05/16

We’re in for an epic showdown tonight as the underdog Los Angeles Lakers brace themselves for a high-stakes clash against the favored Denver Nuggets. The spread is currently at six points in favor of the Nuggets for the opener of the Western Conference Finals.

Long-term series predictions have got the Lakers clinching this WCF. But let me tell you, this game feels like the calm before the storm, or shall I say, the silence before the avalanche hits for Denver. It’s no secret, Denver’s been smashing it on their home court all season. With the likes of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. enjoying a well-deserved rest, they’re all set to come out swinging tonight.

Quick heads up, though, Murray has been under the weather lately, and while he’s a bit of a wildcard tonight, my money’s on him pulling through. It’s almost as if the stage is set for a Nuggets’ offensive blitzkrieg – a real spectacle for the fans.

And let’s not forget about Jokic – I’ve got a feeling that he’s due for a huge game tonight. In fact, I’m so convinced about it that I took his over 50.5  points+rebounds+assists prop on FanDuel. Should be a sight to behold, right?

So here’s my take: Nuggets are likely to dominate Game 1. However, if the Lakers want to win this series, they’ll need to snatch a game in Denver. Will they pull it off? Only time will tell.

Tonight, with a spread of -6, I can’t shake off this vision of a Denver avalanche sweeping the court. I reckon we’ll be tight for the first 2-3 quarters. Then, as the game enters the final stretch, the combined effect of the altitude and Jokic’s magic might just tip the scales in favor of the Nuggets.