2023 NBA Playoffs: Lakers vs. Nuggets Game 1 Information
- When: Tuesday, May 16, 2023, 10:00 PM ET
- Where: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
- TV: ESPN
- Radio: SiriusXM NBA Radio
- Live Stream: NBA League Pass
- NBA Betting Odds: Lakers (+6.0) / Nuggets (-6.0)
READ MORE: Heat vs. Celtics 2023 NBA Playoffs Game 1 Odds and Game Preview – May 17th
Why Bet on the Los Angeles Lakers?
Los Angeles demolished the Warriors in Game 6. They finished the night with an incredible 52.0% shooting from the field and 50.% from deep. They did struggle a bit from the line at 73.8% but were the better shooters that night. More than that, the Lakers had 46 boards, and 25 assists, and kept their turnovers to only seven in four quarters. LeBron James showed his dominant self again and scored 30 for his team. He was ten of 14 from the field and eight of 11 from the line. The four-time champion and former Cleveland Cavalier also led the game with nine assists in 43 minutes. His Laker duo, Anthony Davis, was also locked in with 20 rebounds that night. He also had 17 points and three assists. The rest of the Lakers lineup showed up to claim the final Conference Finals slot. Austin Reaves had 23 points, D’Angelo Russell had 19, and Lonnie Walker IV scored 13 off the bench. The Lakers’ numbers are hardly reminiscent of their regular-season figures. As a team, Los Angeles averages 112.4 points per game on 47.0% shooting and 33.1% from deep. They are rebounding machines averaging 46.8 boards and terrific rim protectors getting 7.1 blocks per game.Why Bet on the Denver Nuggets?
The Northwest Division side gets another Conference Finals appearance since their impressive 2019-20 season run. In their final Round 2 game versus the Suns, Denver recorded over 53.% shooting from the field and 36.4% from deep. They were efficient from the line and hit 29 of 31 free throws, while overpowering Phoenix in total rebounds, 41 to 29. The Western Conference leaders also showcased proper ball protection, limiting turnovers to 11. Nikola Jokic had another great playoff game versus KD and Devin Booker. He accounted for team-high stats of 32 points, ten rebounds, and 12 assists. Starting guards Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jamal Murray were terrific that night with 21 and 26 points, respectively. Bruce Brown Jr. had 13 off the bench, while Michael Porter Jr. made the most of his 24 minutes on the floor and scored ten points and five rebounds. Denver is arguably the best team in the playoffs right now. We see a composed group of basketball players led by Michael Malone. In 11 playoff games, the Nuggets averaged 115.8 points per game on 45.7% from the field. The Nuggets also maintain 44.4 total rebounds to go with 3.6 blocks per game.Lakers vs. Nuggets Betting Trends
- The Lakers won two of their last six road playoff games (2-4 ATS).
- The Lakers won two of their last six road games versus the Nuggets (1-5 ATS).
- The totals have gone under in two of the Lakers’ last five meetings with the Nuggets.
- Denver won five of their last five playoff games at Ball Arena (4-1 ATS).
- The Nuggets are 2-3 in their last five games against the Lakers (1-4 ATS).
- The totals have gone over in two of the Nuggets’ last five meetings with the Lakers.