Barry Recks
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets cross paths again in the Western Conference Finals almost three years since the NBA Bubble. Who takes Game 1?
Read on for more about this Lakers vs Nuggets matchup in the 2023 NBA Playoffs, including the latest odds, pick, and prediction to win this showdown, as brought to you by JefeBet. Also, don’t forget to check out the other NBA game previews here to help you make the best betting decisions.
Predictions, Odds, and Betting Preview for the Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets NBA Playoffs Game 1 Western Conference Finals on May 16, 2023
- Where: Ball Arena, Denver
- When: Tuesday, May 16, 2023, 8:30 PM ET
- NBA Betting Odds: View NBA Odds
Betting on the Los Angeles Lakers
- Regular Season Record: 43-39
After upsetting the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, LeBron James and the Lakers dethroned the then-defending champions Golden State Warriors in the second round to continue their ascent in the 2023 NBA Playoffs. Los Angeles means business, and it could not be any clearer than the job that it accomplished in the first two rounds of the postseason.
It’s about to get harder for the Lakers, with the No. 1 seed in the conference coming up for them, but Darvin Ham is confident in his team. How could he not be? It’s got LeBron James and Anthony Davis is still healthy. Los Angeles also boasts of a deep roster, with guys like Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Dennis Schroder, and Lonnie Walker chipping in ample support. The Lakers are averaging 112.4 points per game in the playoffs thus far. They are also 5-2 ATS in their last seven games versus a team with a winning record.
Betting on the Denver Nuggets
- Regular Season Record: 53-29
The Nuggets have looked every bit the No. 1 seed in the West through the first two rounds of the NBA Playoffs 2023. They first demolished the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games then they knocked out the loaded Phoenix Suns in six games. With Nikola Jokic as the fulcrum of Denver’s offense, the Nuggets have looked pretty much unstoppable on that end of the floor. Jokic is going to be a problem for the Lakers.
While Los Angeles has Anthony Davis, Jokic appears to be very much capable of taking over a game against any matchup. The Timberwolves’ twin towers of Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns looked hapless against Jokic. Deandre Ayton was reduced to a cardboard cutout in front of the Serbian superstar. Jokic is putting up 30.7 points on 54.9 percent shooting from the field in the postseason, and he’s also getting plenty of help from the likes of Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, and Bruce Brown. The Nuggets are 5-1 ATS in their last six outings after at least three days of rest.
JefeBet Prediction
The Nuggets are a different animal than the Grizzlies and the Suns. Denver takes care of business in Game 1, but the Lakers will keep it close.
Prediction: The Nuggets win, 115-111.
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