It’s Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, as the Denver Nuggets will host the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, May 17. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 pm ET while airing on ESPN.
After winning Game 1, the Nuggets enter as 5.5-point favorites with the total set at 226.5. How will this one play out? Let’s dive into the Nuggets vs. Lakers predictions, odds, and picks for Game 2 below.
Nuggets vs. Lakers Odds
- Spread: Nuggets -5.5
- Total: 226.5
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Game Info
- Date: Thursday, May 17
- Time: 8:30 pm ET
- Location: Ball Arena – Denver, CO
- TV: ESPN
Our top NBA props. Everyday. Matt LaMarca runs through his Best NBA Player Props Today for this pair of playoff games.
Nuggets Betting Trends
- Nuggets are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 home games.
- Under is 8-3 in Nuggets last 11 home games.
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Lakers Betting Trends
- Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
- Over is 4-0 in Lakers last 4 Conference Finals games.
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Nuggets vs. Lakers Predictions
We took the Nuggets against the spread in Game 1, barely cashing that bet after a furious second-half comeback by the Lakers. So what’s in store for Game 2?
In Game 1, the Lakers turned the tide with a surprising second-half adjustment, assigning Rui Hachimura to defend Nikola Jokic. This move paid off big time, as LA outscored Denver by 12 points in the second half.
The Lakers’ decision to put Hachimura on Jokic allowed the team to relieve some of the pressure off Anthony Davis, enabling him to contribute more on defense at the rim. It’s no secret that Jokic has been nothing short of a nightmare for opposing teams, but with Hachimura stepping up on defense, the Nuggets’ star found his hands tied during the latter part of the game.
Rui Hachimura had a big impact defensively in the series opener.
Should he be in the starting lineup come Game 2? 👀 pic.twitter.com/TDZ4ls6j5Q
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 17, 2023
Hachimura’s defensive prowess was evident as Jokic missed his only two shot attempts in the fourth quarter, leading to a 34-26 final frame in favor of the Lakers. This strategic move seemingly threw Jokic and the Nuggets off their game, as the MVP even committed a couple of turnovers that LA capitalized on with four points.
Also, the Lakers are 4-0 ATS in the playoffs when coming off a straight-up loss. This should be a competitive game to the final buzzer. We are taking the Lakers to cover the 5.5 point spread while making a run at the outright win.
The Pick: Lakers +5.5 | -110 at BetMGM Sportsbook