Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Predictions, Picks, Odds, and Betting Preview | NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals Game 1 May 16, 2023

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets open their series this Tuesday at Ball Arena up in Mile High City. Check out our preview of this Lakers vs Nuggets matchup in the 2022-23 NBA Playoffs. There are more basketball previews to read here at TopBet, so feel free to look around and make bets once you’re ready.

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Betting Preview for the Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals Game 1 on May 16, 2023

Where: Ball Arena, Denver, CO

When: Tuesday, May 16, 2023, 8:30 PM ET

Line: Los Angeles Lakers (+5.5) vs. Denver Nuggets (-5.5) – view all 2020-21 NBA lines

TV Broadcast: ESPN

Betting on the Los Angeles Lakers (+5.5)

Regular Season Record: 43-39

The Lakers are not done yet. They have all the momentum in the world right now after just kicking Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors out of the 2023 NBA Playoffs in six games in the second round. Before that, the Lakers eliminated the Memphis Grizzlies, and they won both matchups as the road team, which they will be again in the Western Conference Finals. Although the Lakers are viewed primarily as a team that is run by the tandem of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, this is a squad that is very deep. The pieces that the Lakers acquired midseason via trades have given the team a massive boost, with D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, and Jarred Vanderbilt contributing on both ends.

The Lakers have covered the spread in five of their last seven games.

Betting on the Denver Nuggets (-5.5)

Regular Season Record: 53-29

The Nuggets are the favorites to win this series for a reason. After all, they finished the regular season on top of every other team in the West. They also have the best player in this matchup in Nikola Jokic, who did not win the NBA MVP award this season but is still arguably the best player in the league today. With Jokic leading the way, the Nuggets were able to take out the Phoenix Suns in the second round, needing just six games to do so. Denver’s offense is efficient and almost always gets what it wants, thanks in large part to Jokic, whose fingerprints are all over the Nuggets’ attack that is averaging 118.7 points per 100 possessions in the playoffs. Denver is also winning the rebounding battle and is, in fact, leading the postseason with a 54.1 percent rebound rate.

The Nuggets are 5-1-1 against the spread in their last seven home games versus the Lakers.

Writer’s Prediction

The Lakers win, 114-113.

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