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The Denver Nuggets have an opportunity to extend their winning streak over the LA Lakers to double digits when they take on them at the Ball Arena on Monday. The Lakers seemingly reverted to default settings in game 1, which featured an over-reliance on LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
It also featured an underwhelming display from D’Angelo Russell. He went 6-20 from the field while the LA Lakers’ bench contributed to their downfall. The Lakers will head back to the Crypto.com Arena and will be determined to break the streak in game 2. A 2-0 lead might simply prove too much for the team to recover from.
LA Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets preview, betting tips, odds and prediction
Moneyline: Lakers +240/ Nuggets -300
Spread (ATS): Lakers +7.5 (-110) | Nuggets -7.5 (-110)
Total (O/U): 223.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
LA Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets: Preview
The Lakers once again find themselves fighting against the odds against the defending champions. After a bright start, the Nuggets eventually took control and began a systematic dismount, with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope taking charge in the third quarter.
LeBron James was quick to take charge in the first game, and the Lakers finished the first quarter with an 8-point lead, which was reduced to three points at the halfway point. However, he was heavily restricted in the final two quarters and did not have a single look in the fourth quarter, until around a minute left on the clock.
Jokic’s consistent brilliance and a team-wide superior shooting display meant that LeBron and Anthony Davis simply did not have enough in the end. Critics will be quick to point out how Russell could have single-handedly changed the outcome, considering he went 6-20 from the field and the Lakers lost 103-114, merely by 11 points.
LA Lakers vs Denver Nuggets: Starting lineups, subs and rotations
SG - Austin Reaves, PG - D'Angelo Russell, SF - LeBron James, PF - Rui
Hachimura and PF - Anthony Davis
It was clear on the night that the game was decided on the margins, and on who turned up offensively in Denver. The second game does not require a change in lineup, but rather a change in mindset and better performances across the bench from the Lakers.
PF - Aaron Gordon, PF - Michael Porter Jr., C - Nikola Jokic, SG -
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope PG - Jamal Murray
The Denver Nuggets have no reason to change anything. Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic have led them expertly, as Aaron Gordon also produced a double-double in game 1.
LA Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets: Betting Tips
D’Angelo Russell was caught out on multiple occasions on the night at critical junctures. The Nuggets have the best player in the league and the odds point towards another straightforward victory.
Nikola Jokic can again be expected to take charge and is favored to go over 25. The same is true for LeBron James, who will need to step up big-time if the Lakers are to make any comeback.
LA Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets: Prediction
There is no doubt that everything points in the Nuggets’ direction when it comes to making predictions. Game 1, while proving which team is better, also demonstrated that the Lakers have the potential to snatch a victory if they perform exceptionally well. Still, all signs point to a win for the Denver Nuggets.
The Nuggets are expected to get the win, and the total is expected to get two 230 points.
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