Lakers vs Nuggets Game 1 Prediction and Odds
Lakers vs Nuggets Game 1 Prediction and Odds: The Denver Nuggets are predicted to win as per the latest odds and predictions.
It has been yet another incredible journey with some exciting and top-quality basketball action throughout the current season of the NBA. As we reach the business end of the tournament, it’s time for the Conference Finals in the playoffs. The Los Angeles Lakers are set to lock horns with the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Tuesday. The Lakers got the better of the defending champions in the Semifinal round. They defeated the Golden State Warriors by 4-2.
The Denver Nuggets have been brilliant so far. They proved themselves to be strong title contenders by finishing the regular season as the table toppers in the West. The Nuggets continued their dominance in the playoffs as well. In the last round, they handed a 4-2 loss to the Phoenix Suns.
Lakers vs Nuggets Game 1 Prediction: Playoff Series Summary
The LA Lakers have continued their flawless performances post the NBA trade in the postseason too. Their offense and defense have looked in the right balance. On the other hand, the Denver Nuggets consistently got contributions from the bench this season which helped them succeed.
Highlights:
- The magic of LeBron James and Anthony Davis continued in the postseason. King James is averaging 23.4 points per game, while Davis’ current average stands at 21.2 points per game.
- Nikola Jokic has been the star performer for the Nuggets in the playoff games. He has played with an average of 30.7 points per game. Jamal Murray looked good too. He has maintained an average of 25.9 points per game till now.
- The Nuggets have been a better side in the offense, while the Lakers have relied on their solid defensive panel.
Lakers vs Nuggets Game 1 Prediction: Home-Away Stats
The Nuggets will have the home advantage in the first game of the series. They have been excellent in the home fixtures so far. Denver won 34 out of 41 games at Ball Arena in the regular season. In the postseason, they are looking invincible at home with a record of 6-0.
The LA Lakers will be the visiting team in Game 1. They had a decent away record of 20-21 in the regular season. The Lakers won 2 out of 6 away fixtures in the playoffs.
Lakers vs Nuggets Game 1 Prediction: Offense and Defense Comparison
Offense
Offensive Advantage: Denver Nuggets
- The LA Lakers are scoring points with an average of 112.4 points per game in the postseason. They shot 47.0% from the field and 33.1% from the 3-point line. The free throw success rate stands at 79.3%. In the regular season, the Lakers were rated 114.4 on the attack with a rank of 20 in the league.
- The Denver Nuggets have maintained a scoring rate of 115.8 points per game in the playoffs. In shooting, they have a conversion rate of 48.9% in field goals, 37.9% in 3-pointers, and 81.5% in free throws. The Nuggets were ranked 5th in the attack with an Adjusted Offensive Rating of 116.9.
Defense
Defensive Advantage: LA Lakers
- The LA Lakers have given away 116.6 points per game so far. They played with an average of 46.8 rebounds per game. The average number of steals and the average number of blocks per game are at 7.1 each. The Lakers were the 13th-ranked side in the defense with an Adjusted Defensive Rating of 113.9.
- The Denver Nuggets have conceded 112.5 points per game as of now. They maintained an average of 44.4 rebounds, with 7.5 steals and 3.6 blocks per game. With an Adjusted Defensive Rating of 114.2, the Nuggets were ranked 18 in the defense.
Note: Offensive and Defensive Advantages are according to the stats in the NBA Postseason.
Lakers vs Nuggets Game 1 Odds
The Denver Nuggets will surely start as home favorites in Game 1. However, the LA Lakers have the potential to stun them at home.
Spread
- LA Lakers: +5 (-110)
- Denver Nuggets: -5 (-110)
Moneyline
- LA Lakers: +170
- Denver Nuggets: -200
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Lakers vs Nuggets Game 1 Prediction: Head-to-Head Stats
There have been 33 games between these two teams in the NBA Playoffs as of now. The LA Lakers have the upper hand with 25 wins, while the Denver Nuggets won 8 games.
The previous postseason clash took place in the Western Conference Finals of the year 2020. The Lakers secured a 4-1 win in that round.
In the regular season, they met 189 times. The LA Lakers are ahead with 113 wins, while the Denver Nuggets managed to win 76 games.
In the current season, the equation stood at 2-2 between the two sides in the regular season.
H2H Key Highlights: Last 5 Playoff Meetings
- Number of away games won by the LA Lakers: 2
- Number of home games won by the Denver Nuggets: 0
- Average Number of Total Points Scored: 222.8
- Average Number of Points Scored by the LA Lakers: 113.6
- Average Number of Points Scored by the Denver Nuggets: 109.2
Lakers vs Nuggets Game 1 Prediction: Players to Watch Out
LA Lakers
- LeBron James (Small Forward): Points Per Game: 23.4 | Rebounds Per Game: 10.0 | Assists Per Game: 5.3
- Anthony Davis (Power Forward): Points Per Game: 21.2 | Rebounds Per Game: 14.1 | Blocks Per Game: 3.3
- D’Angelo Russell (Power Forward): Points Per Game: 15.7 | Assists Per Game: 5.0 | Rebounds Per Game: 3.3
Denver Nuggets
- Nikola Jokic (Center): Points Per Game: 30.7 | Rebounds Per Game: 12.8 | Assists Per Game: 9.7
- Jamal Murray (Point Guard): Points Per Game: 25.9 | Rebounds Per Game: 5.2 | Steals Per Game: 1.3
- Michael Porter Jr. (Small Forward): Points Per Game: 14.5 | Rebounds Per Game: 7.5 | Assists Per Game: 1.4
Lakers vs Nuggets Game 1 Prediction: Last Game Analysis
LA Lakers
The LA Lakers capitalized on the home advantage and registered a 4-2 win in the sixth game of the Semifinals against the Golden State Warriors. The win against the defending champions was their 7th consecutive home win in the postseason. Kings LeBron and his men became the first team to eliminate the Golden State Warriors from the playoffs before the NBA Finals since 2014. The Lakers successfully tackled the rallies from Golden State Warriors in the first half. They went for an effective surge in the last quarter to win the contest comfortably by 21 points.
LeBron James had another impactful playoff night as he finished with 30 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists. Austin Reaves added 23 points with 5 rebounds and 6 assists.
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets handed a crushing home defeat to the Phoenix Suns to wrap up the Semifinal round by 4-2. Denver will play in the Conference Finals for the first time after 2020. The Nuggets went all guns blazing right from the start and went for a 23-2 run in the first quarter to put the Suns on the back foot. They gave absolutely no chance to Phoenix in the remaining quarters.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets’ scoring again. He finished with 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists. Jamal Murray scored 26 valuable points with 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
Lakers vs Nuggets Game 1 Winner Prediction
- Home Advantage: Nuggets
- H2H Advantage: Lakers
- Offensive Advantage: Nuggets
- Defensive Advantage: Lakers
- Overall: Nuggets to win
The LA Lakers will have no margin of error if they want to crush the Nuggets in their own backyard. A win in an away fixture to start the series can be a big positive for them. On the other hand, the Denver Nuggets will aim to continue their dominating play at home and secure a solid win in Game 1.
As per the odds and stats, the Denver Nuggets are expected to win this matchup.
