Barry Recks
The Denver Nuggets raced to a 1-0 series lead over the Los Angeles Lakers with a sensational victory in Game 1. Do you think the Nuggets will take Game 2 as well? Or do you think the Lakers will tie it all up?
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 2 Western Conference Finals on May 18, 2023
- Where: Ball Arena, Denver
- When: Thursday, May 18, 2023, 8:30 PM ET
- NBA Betting Odds: View NBA Odds
Betting on the Los Angeles Lakers
- Regular Season Record: 43-39
Although the Lakers failed to steal Game 1 in enemy territory against Denver, they remain to be brimming with optimism. We’ll be OK, trust me,” Lakers head coach Darvin Ham said after his team lost 132-126 in the series opener on Tuesday.
The Lakers dug themselves a deep hole early in the game, as they let Denver zoom to a massive lead from the get-go, but they were able to claw their way back and make the Nuggets sweat, thanks in large part to the explosive performance of Anthony Davis, who poured in a total of 40 points on 14/23 shooting. LeBron James also added 26 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists. It’s all going to be about making a much better start and establishing control of the flow in Game 2 for the Lakers, who shot an impressive 54.8 percent from the field in Game 1. The Lakers are also 4-1 against the spread in their last five games.
Betting on the Denver Nuggets
- Regular Season Record: 53-29
The Nuggets have some mixed feelings about their win in Game 1, but they certainly will take a victory any way they can. Nikola Jokic was once again incredible for the Nuggets last Tuesday, as he posted a triple-double of 34 points, 21 rebounds, and 14 assists in 42 minutes. This has been uttered perhaps more than a million times already, but to reiterate: Jokic is unstoppable on the basketball floor. So far in the 2023 NBA Playoffs, the Serbian superstar is averaging 31.0 points while shooting 55.9 percent from the field.
And he’s not just the only one making life hard for Denver opponents. Jamal Murray also had his way in Game 1, finishing with 31 points on 12/20 shooting, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Bruce Brown had 21 and 16 points, respectively. Denver was also +17 in rebounding in the series opener, and it’s a trend that’s not hard to believe the Nuggets can sustain the rest of the way in the series. The Nuggets are 7-2 against the spread in their last nine games as the home team.
JefeBet Prediction
The Lakers will have a much better start and will force more turnovers and bad shots on the part of Denver in Game 2. Taking the Lakers to get at least a cover.
Prediction: The Lakers win, 114-112.
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