Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets 5/16/23 - NBA Betting Picks and Odds
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets
NBA: 8:30 PM EST
May. 16, 2023
TV: n/a
Latest Odds : DEN -5.5 ; O/U 222.5
The Los Angeles Lakers go back on the road Wednesday for game one of the Western Conference finals in Denver against the Denver Nuggets. Los Angeles comes into Wednesday after winning three of the last four overall after a 21 point home win in game six against Golden State on Friday. Defensively Los Angeles controlled the game allowing just 101 points on 37.9% shooting and forced 11 total turnovers. Offensively the Lakers were by far the better overall team scoring 122 points following a 66 point second half on 52% shooting from the floor and 50% from beyond the arc.
LeBron James carried the offensive load for Los Angeles with 30 points, 9 assists, and 9 rebounds on 14 shots in 43 minutes of action. Austin Reaves chipped in the second best 23 points and six assists in 39 minutes, while D’Angelo Russell poured in 19 points on 15 shots in 41 minutes of action. Anthony Davis added seventeen points as the 4th Los Angeles starter in double figures to go with a game high 20 rebounds in 40 minutes of action and Lonnie Walker IV led the way off the Los Angeles bench with 13 points in 14 minutes.
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The Denver Nuggets return home Wednesday night as the best team in the West following a 25 point blowout to eliminate the Phoenix Suns. Offensively Denver was a smoke show making 53.7% of their shots and knocked down eight long balls to score 125 points after an 81 point first half. Defensively Denver was the better team as well allowing just 100 points on 48.1% shooting, while securing the rebounding battle and forcing 14 turnovers as well.
Nikola Jokic led the show for the Denver offense with 32 points, 12 assists, in 10 rebounds on 18 shots in 38 minutes of action. Jamal Murray chipped in 26 points on 16 shots and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 21 points on eleven shots as well. Michael Porter Jr. scored ten points as the 4th Denver starter in double figures, while Bruce Brown led the way off the Denver bench with 13 points in 31 minutes.
Free Betting Pick: Denver Nuggets -5.5
These teams split the season series but haven't seen each other since January and are much different teams. The Nuggets are the #1 seed and will defend home court heavily Tuesday. Take the Nuggets to establish themselves early leading to the win. Take Denver to control this game leading to the 1-0 lead. Final Score Prediction, Denver Nuggets win and cover 115-103.