As for the series odds market, the Nuggets 1-0 lead has propelled them from -160 favorites to -260 to advance in the . Denver has the second shortest , and that price has been shortened from +240 to +180 in light of their Game 1 victory.
LAL vs DEN Betting Analysis
As good as Jokic was in Game 1, and he was brilliant, LeBron James had a three-point attempt to tie the game with 45 seconds left. Ultimately James shot didn t fall, but the second half adjustments the Lakers made could set them up for future success.
LA cut a 21 point deficit down to three points on two separate occasions, but could never even the score. James finished with 26 points, 12 boards and nine assists, while Anthony Davis poured in 40 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
From down 21 to losing a thriller. The Denver Nuggets played a perfect game and only won by 6. I trust LeBron, AD, Darvin Ham and the crew to make the correct adjustments.
Can’t wait for Thursday. Lakers in 7.
Lakers Lead (@LakersLead)
Davis defense on Jokic in the first half was part of the reason the Lakers fell into such a deep hole. Denver put up 72 first half points, the most LA has allowed in a half all postseason. With AD guarding Jokic, the Nuggets averaged 1.45 points per play and shot 66% from the field. That forced the Lakers to pivot, moving Rui Hachimura onto Jokic.
With that strategy in place, Denver averaged just 0.67 points per play over 15 possessions, shooting only 20% from the field. Needless to say, that will earn Hachimura much more playing time in Game 2.
Jokic finished with 34 points, 21 rebounds and 14 assists, outrebounding LA by himself 16-13 in the opening half. He became the first player in NBA playoffs history to record multiple 30-point triple-doubles in the same year while shooting 70% from the field. He s accomplished the feat in back-to-back games, after putting on a similar clinic in the series finale versus the Suns.
Nikola Jokic’s last 6 games:
34 PTS 21 REB 14 AST 71% FG
32 PTS 10 REB 12 AST 72% FG
29 PTS 13 REB 12 AST 60% FG
53 PTS 4 REB 11 AST 67% FG
30 PTS 17 REB 17 AST 58% FG
39 PTS 16 REB 5 AST 57% FG
He’s averaging 36/14/12 on 71% TS. Wtf 😂
The Lead (@TheLeadSM)
Jamal Murray splashed 31 points on 12-of-20 shooting, while former Laker Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 21 points. Denver finished the game with a 54.9% shooting percentage, while burying 47% of its threes.
Lakers vs Nuggets Predictions
The Nuggets lead the playoffs in offensive rating averaging over 120 points per 100 possessions. They ve scored at least 118 points in four consecutive games, and will make the necessary adjustments to combat any type of moves made to slow down Jokic.
LA meanwhile, has been bleeding points on the road. They ve allowed at least 121 points in each of their last three games as visitors, and their defensive rating is 19 points worse away from home than in LA.
Lakers vs Nuggets Same-Game Parlay
