Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Prediction: Can the Lakers Stop Nikola Jokic, Nuggets in WCF Game 2?
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets meet for Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. Can the Lakers Stop Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets? Matt McCuen answers.
Matt McCuen - May 18, 2023, 1:56 PM EDT
5 minDenver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Prediction: Can the Lakers Stop Nikola Jokic, Nuggets in WCF Game 2?
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets will clash from the mile high on Thursday night for Game 2 of this series. Game 1 did disappoint as the Nuggets were able to take care of business and win Game 1 despite a late comeback from the Lakers.
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 Prediction
It appeared that this game was heading towards a blowout as the Nuggets held a double-digit lead for the majority of the game. Los Angeles used a strong second half to cut the deficit down to three with about one minute left in the game. LeBron James shot a potentially game-tying three late in the fourth but misfired, and the Nuggets knocked down their free throws led and held on for a six-point win.
Despite the loss, the Lakers have to feel good about how they played. Denver shot the ball extremely well and could barely miss in the first half, scoring 71 points. Darvin Ham made a second-half adjustment by putting Rui Hachimura on Nikola Jokic, which allowed Anthony Davis to stay at the rim.
Once the adjustment was made, Denver struggled to score, and that adjustment was a huge reason why the Lakers got back into the game. It will be interesting to see if Ham goes with the same strategy tonight, and it will be interesting to see how Michael Malone adjusts.
I am going to back the Lakers once again here in Game 2. I was extremely encouraged with how they fought back in game one, and I feel as if they found something that worked in the second half. The Lakers will need star Anthony Davis to be aggressive again in this one and be the team's main scoring source.
Davis has a massive advantage on the offensive side of the basketball, as Denver lacks rim protection. I do not expect Denver to shoot as well as they did in Game 1, and I like the Lakers to keep this close and possibly even the series tonight.
Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game 2 Pick
Pick: Los Angeles Lakers +6 -120 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbooks have the best odds
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