Nuggets vs. Lakers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets For Western Conference Finals Game 2 – Thursday, May 18, 2023

Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets (53-29) will look to fend off LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers (43-39) on May 18, 2023. The Nuggets are a 5.5-point favorite. The game has a point total of 226.5.

Nuggets vs. Lakers Odds

• Nuggets odds to win: -215
• Lakers odds to win: +177
• Spread: Nuggets (-5.5)
• Total: 226.5

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Game Time and Information

• When: Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 8:30 PM ET
• Where: Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado
• TV: ESPN

Who Will Win Nuggets vs. Lakers?

Nuggets and Lakers Betting Trends, Records Against the Spread

The Nuggets have a 20-16-1 record against the spread in games they were favored by 5.5 points or more this season.

In games they have played as at least 5.5-point underdogs this year, the Lakers are 9-14-1 against the spread.

These teams average 233 points per game combined, 6.5 more than the total of 226.5.

Opponents of these two teams have averaged a combined 229.1 points per game, 2.6 more than the over/under in this game.

The average total the Nuggets have had set in games this year is 1.8 more points than this outing’s point total.

The average total in Los Angeles’ games this season is 7.3 more points than the point total of 226.5 for this outing.

Denver’s ATS record is 44-36-2 this season.

The Lakers have gone 40-39-3 ATS this season.

Nuggets Stats & Insights

The Nuggets outscore opponents by 3.3 points per game (scoring 115.8 points per game to rank 12th in the league while giving up 112.5 per contest to rank eighth in the NBA) and have a +273 scoring differential overall.

The Nuggets win the rebound battle by 2.2 boards on average. They collect 43 rebounds per game, which ranks 18th in the league, while their opponents pull down 40.8 per outing.

Denver connects on 11.8 three-pointers per game (18th in the league) compared to its opponents’ 11.4. It shoots 37.9% from deep while its opponents hit 34.4% from long range.

The Nuggets average 116.3 points per 100 possessions (second in the league), while allowing 112.9 points per 100 possessions (19th in the NBA).

The Nuggets have been significantly better offensively at home, where they average 119.4 points per game, compared to on the road, where they put up 112.2 per game. Defensively, they are much better at home, where they concede 109.6 points per game, versus on the road, where they let their opponents to average 115.3 per game.

Lakers Stats & Insights

The Lakers put up 117.2 points per game (sixth in league) while allowing 116.6 per contest (20th in NBA). They have a +47 scoring differential.

Los Angeles is sixth in the NBA at 45.7 rebounds per game. That’s similar to the 44.9 its opponents average.

The Lakers hit 10.8 three-pointers per game (24th in the league) while shooting 34.6% from beyond the arc (24th in NBA). They are making 1.7 fewer threes than their opponents, who drain 12.5 per game at 34.4%.

The Lakers average 111.8 points per 100 possessions on offense (19th in league), and concede 111.5 points per 100 possessions (14th in NBA).

Los Angeles scores 117 points per game at home, and 117.3 on the road.

Nuggets Key Players to Watch

Jokic averages 24.5 points and 11.8 rebounds and 9.8 assists per game.

Michael Porter Jr. leads active Nuggets in three-point shooting, knocking down an average of three shots per game from beyond the arc.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope averages 1.5 steals per game, while Aaron Gordon has 0.8 blocks per contest.

Lakers Key Players to Watch

James puts up 28.9 points per game. He also contributes 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game this season.

Anthony Davis has per-game averages of 25.9 points, 2.6 assists and 12.5 rebounds this season.

Malik Beasley knocks down 2.9 threes per game.

The Lakers’ defensive effort gets a lift from Jarred Vanderbilt’s 1.1 steals and Davis’ two blocks per game.

Nuggets vs. Lakers Prediction

• Pick ATS: Nuggets (- 5.5)
• Pick OU:

  Over (226.5)
  

• Prediction:
  Nuggets 118 – Lakers 112

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