Game 5 of the best out of 7 series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets will take place on Monday. After winning the first three games of the series, the Denver Nuggets fell on the road on Saturday to head back home up 3-1 in the series.
After winning the first three games of the series by 11, 2 and 7, the Nuggets fell by 11 on Saturday. The Nuggets are the defending NBA Champions, and are the second seed in the Western Conference this postseason. During the regular season, the Nuggets went 57-25.
For the Los Angeles Lakers, they are going to have to go back on the road and win this one to get another chance at home. The Lakers won their play-in game against the Pelicans to grab the 7th seed. Los Angeles went 47-35 during the regular season.
The Denver Nuggets are -7.5 at home in this game. The total is set at 218.5.
LeBron and Company
In the 119-108 win over the Nuggets in Game 4, LeBron James took over, and scored a team high 30 points. James in the four games against the Nuggets is scoring 28.4 points per game. Anthony Davis also had a monster game for the Lakers. The big man scored 25 points and had 23 rebounds.
The Lakers saw those two dominate all season. In fact, a few times those two switched who was leading the team in scoring. In the end, James scored 25.7 points per game, while Davis finished at 24.7 per game. De’Angelo Russell was third for Los Angeles, with 18 points per game.
Los Angeles had won six out of eight games in April before the series against the Nuggets started. The Lakers won their first three games of the month; as they beat the Raptors, Wizards and Cavaliers. They won those three games by an average of 12.6 points per game.
Nuggets Looking to Repeat
Despite the loss in Game 4, the Denver Nuggets are not scared about this series quite yet. Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets have been there and done that in the postseason. Jokic still got his in the Game 4 loss. The big man scored 33 points and ripped down 14 rebounds, while also dishing out 14 assists.
The Nuggets saw him do that much of the season. He went for 26.4, 9 assists and 12.4 rebounds on the season. Jamal Murray was second for Denver with 21.2 per game, while Michael Porter Jr was third, at just shy of 17 points per game.
Denver won four out of their last five games in the regular season. The lone loss, at home to the San Antonio Spurs was the game that cost them the #1 seed. The Nuggets or Lakers will take on Minnesota or Phoenix in the second round.
Lakers Keep it Close
The Denver Nuggets are going to finish this series off. But, they are not going to do it without a fight from the Lakers. James and Davis are still really good players, and will help their team compete.
When push comes to shove, the Denver Nuggets win the game, but Los Angeles Lakers +7.5 is the bet to make. Enjoy the game, and best of luck with all your NBA betting for the postseason!
