The Denver Nuggets took Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, holding off the Los Angeles Lakers’ comeback attempt in the second half to take a 1-0 series lead. Going into Game 2, there has been a lot of talk about the Lakers and the adjustments they made in the second half, and whether those adjustments will be enough to even this series at a game apiece. In our NBA betting picks for Thursday, we break down Lakers vs Nuggets Game 2 from Denver.
Lakers vs Nuggets Game 2 Betting Pick
| ℹ️ The Pick: | Nuggets -5.5 |
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This game will be played at Ball Arena at 8:30 PM ET on Thursday, May 18, 2023.
Why Bet the Nuggets:
✅ The Lakers got 40 points and 10 rebounds from Anthony Davis, and LeBron James shot over 50% from the field, and they still lost by six points in Game 1. Expect Davis not to have that kind of game again, and for the Nuggets to take a 2-0 lead.
✅ Denver outrebounded the Lakers 47-30 in Game 1, because the Lakers don’t have a third rebounder beyond Davis and James in their shortened playoff rotation. That will again be a problem in Game 2.
✅ Denver is now 41-7 at home between the regular season and playoffs after winning Game 1 on their home floor.
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Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers came out of the gates slowly in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets. But they worked their way back into the game in the second half, losing by only six, and getting a lot of credit from the sports media for making the game respectable. But the question going into Game 2 is whether or not they can keep up with the Nuggets early to remain in position to win throughout.
For the Lakers to do that, they are going to need more from Dennis Schroder, who scored just six points in Game 1. While Austin Reaves went ballistic from three-point range, making five of his nine downtown attempts, Schroder did not provide nearly enough offensively. He will need to change that if the Lakers are going to have a chance to even this series.
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets held serve at home yet again on Tuesday night, opening the Western Conference Finals with a home win over the Lakers. Denver is now 7-0 at home this postseason, with five of those seven wins coming by double figures. And with a lot of talk surrounding how the Lakers plan on defending Nikola Jokic in Game 2, coach Michael Malone says he is not worried about the Lakers’ defensive adjustments on the two-time MVP.
While putting Rui Hachimura on Jokic may have worked over a shorter period of time, it is not going to stop the Joker in the long run. It certainly is not going to keep Jokic off of the glass, as he grabbed 21 rebounds in Game 1 compared to Hachimura’s zero. It will be interesting to see how the Nuggets counter any adjustments the Lakers do make in Game 2.
