Los Angeles Lakers VS Denver Nuggets compare strength in the kickoff game for the Western Conference Final in the 2023 NBA Playoffs today.
The Lakers enter this series after eliminating the Memphis Grizzlies and the Golden State Warriors, both by 4-2. The Nuggets, on the other hand, found an easy task in dispatching the Minnesota Timberwolves 4-1 and the Phoenix Suns 4-2.
This game will definitely be one of the ages, as two strong players LeBron and Jokic clash. We wouldn’t want you to miss this game, so here are some NBA Betting predictions from MatchPlug a Hot Prediction site for NBA games.
Read: NBA PREDICTIONS: Miami Heat VS Boston Celtics Expert Picks
Predictions and Betting Preview For Denver Nuggets VS Los Angeles Lakers NBA Playoffs Game 1 Final
- Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado
- Date: Tuesday, May 16th, 2023
- Time: 17:30 GMT
- Teams to play: Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers
- NBA Expert Picks: NUGGETS – OVER 222.5
Odds by BetMGM and 1XBet.
Betting On The Denver Nuggets
Series record: 0-0
Postseason Record: 8-3
Regular Season Record: 53-29
- 1XBet Spread: -5.5
- 1XBet Moneyline: 1.496
- 1XBet Over/Under: Over 222.5
- BetMGM Spread: -6.5
- BetMGM Moneyline: 1.40
- BetMGM Over/Under: Under 222.5
Many Analysts predict that this will be the season the Denver Nuggets finally make it to the top of the league. But, they must defeat the Lakers first in the playoffs to achieve this.
While Los Angeles finished the year 7th in the conference, they were one of the best teams for the second half of the season. Their defense will be a problem for LeBron and the other Lakers.
Denver had no problem sending the Timberwolves packing in the first round, and handled the Suns in the semifinals; despite gaining the upper hand once, Denver still couldn’t contain Jokic and his teammates.
Matter of fact, the Joker averages almost a triple-double in the playoffs with 30.7 points, 12.8 rebounds and 9.7 assists, recreating his regular season performance, where he, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. headed one of the NBA’s best offenses.
In terms of defense, the Nuggets have played well too. In just two of their 11 games played in the postseason, they allowed over 114 points, but of which were defeats at the Phoenix Suns’ home court.
Betting on the Los Angeles Lakers
Series record: 0-0
Postseason Record: 8-4
Regular Season Record: 43-39
- 1XBet Spread: +5.5
- 1XBet Moneyline: 3.34
- 1XBet Over/Under: Under 222.5
- BetMGM Spread: +6.5
- BetMGM Moneyline: 3.00
- BetMGM Over/Under: Over 222.5
They have may defeated the reigning NBA champions, but the Los Angeles Lakers enter this series with a low profile, especially since they are going against Denver which had the best record in the division during the regular season.
Remember that the Lakers ended the season in 7th position, and went through the Play-In, when they won the Timberwolves, who were beaten by the Nuggets.
As LeBron James and Anthony Davis lead, Los Angeles has had a clean season after winning the number two team in the West, the Grizzlies, and eliminating the Warriors in six games on Friday night.
The defense has been the Lakers’ stronghold this period, they hold their rivals to below 105 points scored in six of their 12 games played.
In offense, James is essential to the team, but Davis is the game-changer on the court. Matter of fact, the legendary center has dominated in offense and defense, and in the playoffs too, he averages 21.2 points per game with 14.1 rebounds and 3.3 blocks.
It will definitely be thrilling to see how he’ll hold this same performance against Nikola Jokic, one of the best players in the league and the MVP of the last two seasons.
MatchPlug Prediction
Los Angeles and Denver had had excellent defenses in their respective series, but Lakers VS Nuggets matches generate high-scoring games.
On one hand, the Nuggets’ offense was the only one to conclude the regular season with over 59% shooting accuracy and was the fourth-best team in three-point shooting percentage.
The Lakers, on the other hand, use Davis’ dominance on the court as an edge, his quick transitions, and the fantastic play of Austin Reaves, who has been a revolutionary playing beside Davis and James.
The last eight matches these teams played in Denver finished in the Over, while 29 of their previous Lakers VS Nuggets meetings ended in high-scoring matches.
