Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Prediction: Can LeBron James, Lakers Steal West Finals Game 1?
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets meet for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals tonight. Can LeBron James and the Lakers steal the first game of this series? Matt McCuen answers.
Matt McCuen - May 16, 2023, 9:12 AM EDT
5 minDenver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Prediction: Can LeBron James, Lakers Steal West Finals Game 1?
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets will clash from the mile high tonight for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Both of these teams had tough matchups in the Western Conference Semi-finals, and from a betting perspective, they were underdogs to make it here.
Nuggets vs. Lakers Game 1 Start Time and Where to Watch
- Date: Tuesday, May 16, 2023
- Time: 8:30 pm ET
- Where to Watch: ESPN
Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game 1 Prediction
Los Angeles entered the playoffs as the No. 7 seed after taking care of business in the play-in round when they beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 108-102 in overtime. The fact that the Lakers are now playing with a trip to the NBA finals is something that most people would not have expected at the all-star break.
This is a Lakers team that was not even in the play-in when the all-star break hit, but they have been the best team in basketball in the second half of the season. The main reason for that is the duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. What James has done this year is something special at 38, and Davis has played like a superstar in the postseason. Health has been a big issue for Davis, but this year, he appears fully healthy and has shown how dominant of a force he can be.
Denver, meanwhile, has been led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray here in the postseason. The role players for the Nuggets have also really stepped up things up and have given this team a boost when they need it most. Denver was the best home team in all of basketball this season, supporting a home record of 34-7 in the mile high. Denver is also a perfect 6-0 at home to start the postseason. Los Angeles will have to steal a game on the road in this series if they want to play for a championship, and they are well aware that will be no easy task.
I am going to back the dog tonight and put my money on the Lakers with the points. I feel the Lakers are getting too many points here after getting a lot of rest over this past week. This team will benefit from the rest days, especially guys like James and Davis. Denver is an outstanding team, and this is actually just the second time that I have faded them in the mile high this postseason.
With that being said, Los Angeles matches up very well with the Nuggets, in my opinion. Anthony Davis should average nearly thirty points per game in this series. Denver lacks rim protection, and with the ability Davis has in the paint, he needs to be extremely aggressive in this series. Secondly, we all know how dangerous LeBron James is when he drives the like, and I feel as if he will have his way in this series, getting to the bucket and creating for others.
On the flip side, you will never stop Nikola Jokic, but Anthony Davis will be the toughest matchup Jokic has faced this year. I feel as if the length and athleticism of Davis will make life tougher on Jokic than he is used to. I love the Lakers to cover this number tonight and potentially win outright!
Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game 1 Pick
Pick: Los Angeles Lakers +6 -110 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbooks have the best odds
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