Lakers vs. Nuggets West Finals Game 1 Preview, Odds, Lines, Prediction, Picks (May 16)

The Denver Nuggets are up against the LA Lakers in the Western Conference finals after three years. Back then, in the bubble, the Lakers won that series and later took the NBA title, but with the massive help of the officials who brutally favored the purple and gold while inflicting injustice upon the Nuggets. Things have changed since, with Nikola Jokic becoming the two-time NBA MVP and the league’s top player now. On the other side, the Lakers had a turbulent two seasons but are apparently back on track. 

Preview

LA Lakers (+170) have eliminated the Warriors in six games, beating the champs solely because of the opening win at the Case Center in Game 1. Afterward, the LAL set the tempo and the pace, not allowing the nervous Warriors to get their groove back.

Anthony Davis is the key to the Lakers’ victories in the playoffs, and that’s a fact. The Eyebrow might not be the focus of the media attention because that’s reserved for LeBron, but without any doubt, AD is the best player in the Lakers right now.

He’s averaging 13.5 boards with 3.4 blocks and 21.5 points while shooting 86.4% from the free-throw line. AD is the biggest contributor on the defensive side by far, and his impact in these two previous series was massive. LeBron scores 22.8 points and has 10 boards, while Austin Reaves adds 14.7 points.

Denver Nuggets (-205) could solve the Suns much easier, being awfully close to a break in their first two visits to Arizona. Though in the end, beating the injured Suns in six games is an excellent intro for the finals, where the Lakers await.

Nikola Jokic‘s form is unreal, and the Joker has started breaking some multi-decade-old records, held by all-time greats such as Oscar Robertson or Wilt Chamberlain. Joker averages 30.7 points in the playoffs with 12.8 boards and 9.7 assists while shooting 47.5% from downtown, which is magnificent.

He needs more help from Jamal Murray, who is inconsistent and often too egoistic, which cost the Nuggets a few games against the Suns. Murray averages 25.8 points per game in the postseason, but his defensive contribution is close to zero, while he often has some wild shots and solutions on the other end.

Latest News

The injury reports on both ends are clear. AD is okay following his hit against the Warriors, while on the other side, Jamal Murray’s illness isn’t severe. 

Head to Head Games

During the regular part of the year, both teams had two wins apiece, and they both failed to win on the road.

Prediction

Game 1 is something the Lakers played well in these playoffs, winning against both the Grizzlies and the Warriors. The Nuggets have yet to lose at home, with Ball Arena being their stronghold this year. As said, Davis is the top player in the Lakers crew, but in this case, his presence won’t be making such a difference because of Jokic. The refs will push the Lakers, that’s simply the way things go in the NBA, with Los Angeles being the bigger market, but we strongly believe that the Nuggets are winning Game 1 and even covering a 5-point spread. 

Pick: Nuggets -5 -110