Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets – Game 4 Pick, Odds & Prediction

The 2020 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals goes on Thursday night with Game 4 between the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets, so we have prepared all need-to-know betting tips and notes along with the latest odds update.  

The top-seeded Lakers have a 2-1 lead after dropping the previous game on Tuesday. The third-seeded Nuggets have already pulled off some massive upsets, so you don’t want to miss Thursday’s showdown in the NBA bubble.   

The Line

The Lakers opened as 6-point favorites with their moneyline odds at -250 on BetDSI, while the Nuggets are listed as +210 underdogs. BetOnline offers a 214.5-point line on the totals with both over and under at -110 odds.  

Injuries/Suspensions

The Lakers miss Dion Waiters (groin), while the Nuggets are still without Will Barton (knee). 

What’s at Stake?

The Nuggets have a chance to tie the series after trailing 2-0, while the Lakers can take a commanding lead and get a step away from the 2020 NBA Finals. 

The Spot

This is a familiar spot for the Nuggets, as they overcame a 3-1 deficit in each of the previous two rounds against the Jazz and Clippers. On the other side, the Lakers are an experienced team that shouldn’t feel pressured after a tough loss in Game 3.  

The Matchup

The Lakers had an easy job in the opener, thrashing of the Nuggets 126-114, but they barely avoided an upset in Game 2, as Anthony Davis hit a 3-point buzzer-beater to secure a 105-103 win. 

Los Angeles has dominated Denver in the paint through the first two games, especially in the opener. The Lakers scored 64 points in the paint in Game 3, but that time, it wasn’t enough. They completely lost the battle on the glass and posted 19 rebounds fewer than their opponents. 

Anthony Davis had 27 points but grabbed only a couple of boards. On the other side, Nikola Jokic accounted for 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Jamal Murray had a big game with 28 points, eight rebounds, and 12 assists. 

Jokic and Murray are a key duo for Denver, but the Nuggets needed somebody else to step up in order to beat the Lakers. Jerami Grant scored 26 points in Game 3, while Monte Morris added 14 off the bench. 

Furthermore, the Nuggets shot 54.8% from the field and 37.9% from deep in Game 3 which are excellent numbers, considering the Lakers’ stout defense. LA shot 51.8% from the field, but the Lakers were only 6-for-26 from downtown (23.1%). 

If they want to get back on the winning path, the Lakers will have to make some jumpers from beyond the arc. The Nuggets are a young team capable of playing tough, physical defense, so they will continue to double-team Davis and live with some open threes. 

Interestingly, the Lakers couldn’t get things going on Tuesday even though LeBron James had a triple-double of 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists. 

The Bets

The Nuggets played Tuesday like they didn’t have to go all seven games in the first two rounds of the 2020 NBA Playoffs. As I’ve mentioned, there are some young and very talented players on their roster, and I expect the Nuggets to continue with an aggressive approach on both sides of the ball. 

Also, I’m pretty sure the Lakers will continue to attack the rim, and if they shoot the ball well, the Nuggets will be in trouble. Anyway, I don’t expect any team to dominate as  the Lakers did in Game 1, so I’m taking the Nuggets to cover an 8-point spread. 

Denver is 6-3 ATS in its last nine meetings with the Lakers, though LA has won straight up four of the previous five. 

2020 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals: Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers – Pick, Odds, & Prediction

The 2020 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals starts Friday, September 18, as the third-seeded Denver Nuggets take on the top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers. These two foes meet each other in the postseason for the first time since 2012 when the Lakers eliminated the Nuggets in int eh first round in seven games.   

Also, this is a rematch of the 2009 Western Conference Finals. That time, the Lakers needed six games to beat the Nuggets with Carmelo Anthony onwards. 

The upcoming series brings plenty of excitement, no doubt, as the Nuggets showed us in the previous two rounds that they never give up. We have prepared all need-to-know betting tips and trends for the 2020 Western Conference Finals between the Nuggets and Lakers, so let’s take a closer look. 

Injuries/Suspensions

Denver is without Will Barton (knee), while the Lakers miss Dion Waiters (groin). Barton shouldn’t return to the court in 2020, but Waiters could be available at some point during the conference finals. 

The Line

Los Angeles opened as a massive -600 favorites to win the conference title on Bovada Sportsbook, while the Nuggets are listed as a +450 out-of-towner to reach the 2020 NBA Finals. The bookies expect the Lakers to have an easy job, setting the lowest odds on exactly five games in this series (+200).   

What’s at Stake?

The Lakers are searching for their first NBA Finals appearance since 2010 when they beat the Celtics to win the championship. On the other side, the Nuggets hope to make it to the championship series for the first time in franchise history. 

The Spot

Denver was down 3-1 in each of its previous two series against the Jazz and Clippers. The Nuggets became the first team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 deficit twice in the postseason. That’s a massive boost for their confidence, but the Nuggets could struggle with fatigue, too. 

The Lakers needed five games to eliminate their rivals in each of the previous two rounds. Interestingly, they lost the opener on both occasions. However, the Lakers looked sharp and had no problems to beat the Trail Blazers and Rockets. 

The Matchup

The Nuggets lean on a dynamic duo Nikola Jokic – Jamal Murray and these two guys will have to continue with a strong performance if they want to pull off a huge upset in the conference finals. 

Jokic taught the Clippers some basketball in Game 7, posting a monster triple-double of 16 points, 22 rebounds, and 13 assists, while Murray added 40 points on 15-for-26 shooting from the field. 

The Nuggets managed to overcome a double-digit deficit in each of their previous three outings, but they cannot afford a similar situation against LeBron James and the Lakers. LeBron is a true floor general for this LA team that plays smart, and the Lakers will know how to take advantage of any chance they get. 

Anthony Davis will be a key guy for the Lakers, as he has to play terrific defense on Jokic, while The Brow should be unstoppable on the offensive end. Jokic is arguably one of the worst defenders at five, but the Nuggets play good team defense and will double team Davis a lot. 

The Nuggets will look to take advantage of the Lakers’ second unit, but I think both teams have enough role players who can step up and put on a solid performance. Denver will certainly try to slow down the tempo, as the Nuggets average only 93.0 possessions per 48 minutes, while the Lakers tally 99.2 possessions per 48 minutes. 

The Lakers allow just 105.2 points per game this postseason, limiting their rivals to 43.2% shooting from the field. The Nuggets surrender 108.3 points per contest on 46.8% shooting from the field. 

LeBron and his teammates execute well offensively, scoring 114.1 points per game on an excellent 49.6% shooting from the field. Denver averages 106.8 points per game while making 46.5% of its field goals. 

The Bets

Although I admire Nikola Jokic, he will have a mountain to climb against the Lakers’ defense. Anthony Davis is a tremendous two-way player, while the Lakers also count on Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee. 

The Nuggets might pull off a couple of upsets here, but I think the Lakers are a better team, while they certainly have way more experience than the Nuggets. Anthony Davis will dominate the Nuggets on both sides of the floor, so the Lakers shouldn’t have too many problems to reach the 2020 NBA Finals. 

The odds are not tempting at all, so I would take the Lakers to win in five games at +225 odds. 

The Lakers beat the Nuggets in the bubble 124-121 and are 3-1 SU and 2-2 ATS against Denver this season. The over is 13-5-2 in the previous 20 matchups between these two teams, but I don’t expect to see a high-scoring series this time and will look to take the under on a few occasions. 

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets – Pick, Odds & Prediction – 9/7/20

The 2020 NBA Playoffs continue Monday night with Game 3 of the semifinal Western Conference series between the second-seeded Los Angeles Clippers and third-seeded Denver Nuggets.

Los Angeles dominated Denver in the opener, grabbing a comfortable 120-97 victory. However, the Nuggets had a proper response and outlasted the Clippers 110-101 this past Saturday to tie the series.

We expect to see a great battle between two talented teams on Monday, so let’s see what the bettors can expect from Game 3 along with our best betting pick for the Clippers versus Nuggets showdown.

Injuries/Suspensions

While the Clippers are coming in full strength, the Nuggets have some serious injury worries. Denver is without Will Barton (knee), but Nikola Jokic’s wrist injury is a big issue. The Joker was spectacular in Game 2, but he picked up a wrist injury and is listed as questionable to play Monday night.

The Line

The Clippers are strong 9-point favorites on Bookmaker, while the totals are set at 220.0 points. If nothing changes until the tip-off, the Clippers will be 9-point favorites for the third straight game.

Anyway, keep tracking the updates, as Jokic’s ultimate status could force the bookies to adjust the lines.

What’s at Stake?

This is a big game for both clubs, especially if Nikola Jokic hit the sidelines. The winners will take control of the series and put themselves in a strong position ahead of the next clash.

The Spot

The Nuggets must be delighted with that 110-101 victory in Game 2. They looked helpless in the opener, so many wrote them off. On the other side, the Clippers desperately need to bounce back. They haven’t dropped two straight games since entering the bubble.

The Matchup

The Clippers owned the Nuggets in Game 1, building an 18-point halftime lead while limiting the Nuggets on 42.2% shooting from the field and 25.0% from beyond the arc. LA shot 57.1% from the field and 41.7% from downtown, but that changed drastically in Game 2.

The Nuggets improved defensively last Saturday, and the Clippers finished the game making just 40.9% of their field goals and 28.1% of their 3-pointers. Kawhi Leonard scored only 13 points on 4-for-17 shooting, while Paul George had 22 points on 7-for-19 shooting from the field.

On the other side, Nikola Jokic posted a double-double of 26 points and 18 rebounds. Jamal Murray had 27 points and six assists, while Garry Harris added 13 points on 4-for-7 shooting from deep.

The Joker’s eventual absence would be a massive blow for the Nuggets, but defense is a key factor for both Denver and LA in this matchup. The Nuggets have to continue with high pressure on the Clippers’ backcourt and wings, while the Clippers need to slow down Murray and Jokic.

The Bets

The Clippers went 2-1 SU and ATS against the Nuggets this past regular season. They beat Denver 132-103 as 7-point home favorites and 124-111 as 5.5-point favorites in the bubble.

I think the Clippers will play at a much higher level in this one than they did in Game 2. Kawhi will be fired up to make amends for his poor display on Saturday, while I’m not sure that Denver can improve even more on the defensive end.

Therefore, I’m backing the Clippers to win, but picking the alternative spread at seven points should be a smart move. If Jokic doesn’t play, the Clippers shouldn’t’ have any problems to satisfy the odds. However, beating anyone by 10 or more points in the semifinals is a tough job.