Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction, Preview and Odds - 05/22/2023

Game Time: 8:30 pm ET, Monday, May 22, 2023

Venue:  Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA

Where to Watch:  ESPN

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Nuggets +3.5, Lakers -3.5; Over/Under:  224.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Nuggets +3.5, Lakers -3.5; Over/Under:  224.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Nuggets +3.5, Lakers -3.5; Over/Under:  224.5 points

Denver Nuggets:  53-29 (1st place, Northwest Division)

Los Angeles Lakers:  43-39 (5th place, Pacific Division)

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Denver Nuggets:  8-2 last 10

Los Angeles Lakers:  5-5 last 10

The Nuggets finished the regular season with a 53-29 record overall and they were 19-22 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 5 game winning streak with wins coming against the Phoenix Suns twice in a row and the LA Lakers in their last 3 games. In game 3 of this series, Jamal Murray led the team in points in that game with 37 while Nikola Jokić was next on the team with 24 points. Nikola Jokić led the team in assists in that game with 8 while Michael Porter Jr. led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 50% from the field, 41.5% from 3-point range, and 73.7% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 115.8 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 112.5 PPG against them. The Nuggets have an ATS record of 52-43-1 this season and their O/U record is 46-49-1.

The Lakers finished the regular season with a 43-39 record overall and they were 23-18 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 3 game losing streak with all 3 losses coming against the Denver Nuggets in their last 3 games. In game 3 of this series, Anthony Davis led the team in points in that game with 28 while LeBron James and Austin Reaves each were next on the team with 23 points. LeBron James led the team in assists in that game with 12 while Anthony Davis led the team in rebounds with 18. They were 45.2% from the field, 31.3% from 3-point range, and 75.9% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 117.2 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 116.6 PPG against them. The Lakers have an ATS record of 50-47-1 this season and their O/U record is 52-46.

The current betting odds have the Lakers listed as a 3.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. This is game 4 of a 7-game series between the 1st seeded Nuggets and the 7th seeded Lakers for the Western Conference finals of the NBA playoffs. The Nuggets are entering this game with a 3-0 series lead and have now put the Lakers on the brink of elimination, forcing them to win 4 games in a row against the Nuggets to advance now. The Lakers are in a really bad situation now as their chances of getting out of this series are very slim, but this is still a team with lots of playoff experience led by LeBron James and he will keep their spirits high in this game as they try to come out with their best effort and get 1 game back here on their home court. The Lakers still have a lot of quality players that will show some pride in this game and bring their best effort to extend this series at least 1 more game and send it back to Denver. No one on this Lakers team wants to get swept in the Conference Finals so expect a big push back from the Lakers here as they throw everything they have at the Nuggets to win a game and start the comeback in this series. The best way to place a bet here is on the Lakers to cover the spread in this game. 

Nuggets Lakers Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Monday, May 22, 2023 (8:30 pm ET start time) is Lakers 122 Nuggets 115.

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Denver Nuggets: 17-9 ATS against Pacific division opponents. 25-17 ATS after one or more consecutive overs. 19-10 OVER in all playoff games. 8-4 OVER as a road underdog of 6 points or less.

Los Angeles Lakers: 18-34 ATS when trailing in a playoff series. 4-10 ATS revenging 4 or more losses vs opponent in last 2 years. 11-6 OVER revenging a home loss vs opponent. 33-20 OVER when trailing in a playoff series.

Denver Nuggets:  C. Gillespie (PG) Late May - Leg.

Los Angeles Lakers:  M. Bamba (C) Out Indefinitely - Ankle.

“This group is capable of doing great things, and they believe. Belief is a very powerful thing.” - Michael Malone after his team’s win against the Lakers in their game on Saturday, game 3 of this series.

“They've been at the top of the food chain for a reason, and have a plethora of guys that can hurt you, as was on full display tonight. But you know, circumstances are what they are. Difficult, but not impossible.” - Darvin Ham after his team’s loss against the Nuggets in their game on Saturday, game 3 of this series.

PG Jamal Murray

SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

SF Michael Porter Jr.

PF Aaron Gordon

C Nikola Jokic

PG D'Angelo Russell

SG Austin Reaves

SF LeBron James

PF Jarred Vanderbilt

C Anthony Davis

PPG: N. Jokic (24.5)

APG: N. Jokic (9.8)

Reb/G: N. Jokic (11.8)

PPG: L. James (28.9)

APG: L. James (6.8)

Reb/G: A. Davis (12.5)

Coaches:

Denver Nuggets: Michael Malone (8th season)

Los Angeles Lakers: Darvin Ham (1st season)