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Mixed martial arts Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers Bet Builder: 3.40 Wager For Series Opener
Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers Bet Builder: Tuesday, May 16th
In a rematch of the Bubble Playoffs, the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers go toe-to-toe in the Western Conference Finals starting with Game One on Tuesday night. Denver enters as the narrow betting favourites to win the series after seeing off the Phoenix Suns in six games. Los Angeles eliminated the defending champion Golden State Warriors, continuing their exceptional run since the trade deadline.
Denver is the number one seed in the West, and has looked imperious in the postseason thus far. Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic has been spectacular. The Lakers had to make their way through the Play-In, but there’s no denying they have been an elite team over the last couple of months.
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Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers Preview
Wed, May 17. 01:30 (UK time)
A lot has changed with both teams since the Bubble. One major adjustment is Kentavious Caldwell-Pope playing for Denver rather than Los Angeles. The three-and-D wing dropped 21 in the series clincher against the Suns, and has a huge role to play on both ends in this series. Look for the Lakers to hide a weaker defender like D’Angelo Russell on Caldwell-Pope.
While postseason statistics are skewed depending on opponent, there is good reason the Lakers gave have given up so many threes. The presence of Anthony Davis and LeBron James (and sometimes Jarred Vanderbilt) is a great deterrent in the paint. Sure, Denver has more of an interior scoring presence than Golden State, but the three-ball is still going to be a key part of their offence. If they help off Caldwell-Pope, he is going to knock down shots.
Sure, the former Wizard has hit this over just once in the last four games, but his number of attempts should increase here.
After playing through some rust in the regular season, the Nuggets have also seen the best of Jamal Murray in these playoffs. Murray was exceptional in the first two Bubble rounds, but struggled a bit against the Lakers. Ham has several options for how he guards the Murray and Jokic two-man game.
An underrated, crafty playmaker, Murray’s chemistry with Jokic is on another level. The Ontario native has averaged a shade under 12 potential assists this postseason (that’s more than LeBron James, Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and Jalen Brunson).
Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers Bet Builder
In this postseason, the Game Six blowout of the Suns is the only time Murray hasn’t had five or more assists. The Lakers might be able to take away some of his finishes at the rim, but look for Murray to put his teammates in position to score.
To wrap this one up, we’re taking the Nuggets on the moneyline. Before seeing any of this series, it’s hard to feel confident about either team on the spread. Denver, though, has been exceptional at home and should have enough to take an early lead.
- Denver Nuggets Moneyline
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope over 1.5 threes
- Jamal Murray 5+ assists
Bet Builder Odds: 3.40
Odds as at 11:00 am on May 16th, 2023. Odds may now differ.
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