Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Best Bet: Can Rui Hachimura, Michael Porter Jr. Show Out in WCF Game 2?
The Denver Nuggets survived a second-half comeback effort from the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 and now face off for Game 2. Can Rui Hachimura and Michael Porter Jr. show out tonight? Ben Rajavuori shares his best bets for the game.
Ben Rajavuori - May 18, 2023, 4:32 PM EDT
5 minDenver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Best Bet: Can Rui Hachimura, Michael Porter Jr. Show Out in WCF Game 2?
The Denver Nuggets survived a second-half comeback effort from the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 and were able to hang on for a six-point win, which forced a lot of bettors (including me) to push. Now, ahead of Game 2, the Lakers will look to capitalize on the adjustments they made in the second half to make the game close. The first player prop and one of my favorite bets on this game center around one of these adjustments.
Nuggets vs. Lakers Game 2 Start Time and Where to Watch
- Date: Thursday, May 18, 2023
- Time: 8:30 pm ET
- Where to Watch: ESPN
Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game 2 Best Bets
1 Unit Pick: Rui Hachimura Over 11.5 Points -120 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbooks have the best odds
The main adjustment Davin Ham made in the second half of game one was matching Rui Hachimura up with Nikola Jokic. Not only did this help shut down Jokic with another presence in the paint, but it also helped offensively by stifling the Nuggets. Jokic had a much slower second half, and Anthony Davis was freed up on the floor on both ends of the floor.
Anthony Davis pulled down eight rebounds in the second half and scored 40 points on 14/23 shooting. The second-half lineup proved that Hachimura could help bring a different look against the Nuggets that proved to be effective and nearly helped them pull off a comeback after they looked completely mismatched in the first half.
Hachimura has averaged 11.6 points per game in the postseason, right on his points total for tonight, but he's only averaged 21 minutes per game in the postseason. In game one, he played 28 minutes, most of those coming in the second half. He shot 8/11 from the field in game one, scoring 17 points. This line still feels low, though, which is most likely because Hachimura has been quiet in the playoffs up until last night.
Hachimura had gone under 11.5 points in eight of his last nine games, but his matchup against the Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies was not as good. The Lakers did not need him as much against the Warriors with their smaller lineup, but his effectiveness will prove itself in this series, as proven by the second half of game one. Hachimura should play 30+ minutes tonight and will easily get past 12 points if he does.
2 Unit Pick: Michael Porter Jr. Over 6.5 Rebounds -120 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbooks have the best odds
Going right back to our max play from game one, which was Porter Jr. over 5.5 rebounds. If you want to read the write-up on that one, click here. He finished with 10. As a result, his line has risen to 6.5 in game two, and I still love the over. Porter Jr. has been playing increased minutes in the playoffs, up to an average of 33 minutes from 29 in the regular season. He played 35 minutes in game one and should continue to get good minutes because he is a good matchup against the playstyle of the Lakers.
The Lakers play very fast, as we saw from the 132-126 final in Game 1. The Lakers played at the second-fastest tempo in the league this season, which leads to more possessions and more rebounds as a result. The Lakers also allowed the fifth-most rebounds to small forwards this season at 8.22 per game. Michael Porter Jr. is now averaging 7.8 rebounds in the postseason and has hit at least eight rebounds in four of his last five games. It was no fluke that he had 10 in Game 1 and could again in Game 2. Grab the over again!
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