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The Los Angeles Lakers will aim to overcome the odds as 6.5-point underdogs heading into Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on Tuesday, starting at 8:30 PM ET on ESPN. The over/under for the contest is set at 222.5.
How to bet Nuggets vs. Lakers
Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Odds
Point Spread
The spread for this matchup is set at 6.5 points, with bookmakers listing the Nuggets as the favorites.
Moneyline
As for the moneyline, the Nuggets have -268 odds to pick up the win, while the Lakers are listed at +218 to claim victory.
Over/Under
Finally, the total for the game is set at 222.5 points.
Nuggets vs. Lakers Game Time and How to Watch
- Game Day: Tuesday, May 16, 2023
- Game Time: 8:30 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Location: Denver, Colorado
- Arena: Ball Arena
Nuggets vs. Lakers Betting Trends
The Nuggets have played 82 games, with 44 wins against the spread. Denver has been the favorite in 61 games this season and has come away with the win 43 times (70.5%) in those contests. Nuggets games this year have gone over the total in 37 out of 82 opportunities (45.1%).
The Lakers have 40 wins against the spread in 82 games this year. Los Angeles is 23-28 in games it was the underdog on the moneyline (winning 45.1% of those games). Lakers games this year have eclipsed the over/under 43 times in 82 opportunities (52.4%).
Potential Starting Lineups and Key Players
Nuggets
| Name | GP | PTS | REB | ASST | STL | BLK | 3PM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikola Jokic | 69 | 24.5 | 11.8 | 9.8 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.8 |
| Jamal Murray | 65 | 20 | 4 | 6.2 | 1 | 0.2 | 2.6 |
| Michael Porter Jr. | 62 | 17.4 | 5.5 | 1 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 3 |
| Aaron Gordon | 68 | 16.3 | 6.6 | 3 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.9 |
| Bruce Brown | 80 | 11.5 | 4.1 | 3.4 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 1.1 |
Lakers
| Name | GP | PTS | REB | ASST | STL | BLK | 3PM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LeBron James | 55 | 28.9 | 8.3 | 6.8 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 2.2 |
| Anthony Davis | 56 | 25.9 | 12.5 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 2 | 0.3 |
| D’Angelo Russell | 71 | 17.8 | 3 | 6.2 | 1 | 0.4 | 2.7 |
| Austin Reaves | 64 | 13 | 3 | 3.4 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| Malik Beasley | 81 | 12.7 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 2.9 |
Nuggets vs. Lakers Injury Report
Lakers: Mohamed Bamba: Out (Ankle)
What you need to know about the Denver Nuggets
Denver is 12th in the NBA with 115.8 points per game this season. At the other end of the court, it ranks eighth with 112.5 points allowed per contest. The Nuggets are scoring 119.4 points per game this season in home games, which is 7.2 more points than they’re averaging in road games (112.2). On the offensive side of the ball, the Nuggets have picked up their production slightly over their last 10 games, scoring 116.5 points per contest over that span compared to the 115.8 they’ve racked up over the course of this season.
Denver ranks fourth-best in the NBA with a three-point shooting percentage of 37.9%. It ranks 18th in the league by draining 11.8 treys per contest. The Nuggets have taken 63.9% two-pointers and 36.1% three-pointers this year. Of the team’s baskets, 72.9% are two-pointers and 27.1% are threes.
What you need to know about the Los Angeles Lakers
Offensively Los Angeles is the sixth-ranked squad in the NBA (117.2 points per game). On defense it is 20th (116.6 points conceded per game). At home the Lakers are putting up 117 points per game, 0.3 fewer points than they are averaging away (117.3). In their previous 10 games, the Lakers are averaging 112.8 points per contest, compared to their season average of 117.2.
In 2022-23, Los Angeles is 24th in the NBA in 3-point makes (10.8 per game) and 24th in 3-point percentage (34.6%). In 2022-23, the Lakers have attempted 65% percent of their shots from inside the 3-point line, and 35% percent from beyond it. In terms of made shots, 74.8% of the Lakers’ buckets have been 2-pointers, and 25.2% have been 3-pointers.
Our pick to win this contest is the Nuggets, and we predict that Lakers will cover the spread (Nuggets -6.5). Finally, we see the scoring in this one going over the posted total of 222.5 points.
You can bet on Nuggets vs. Lakers at every legal online sportsbook. For more NBA odds, including moneylines, spreads, over/under totals as well as NBA prop odds, check out the latest NBA lines as well as our guide to the best NBA betting sites.
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