All Lakers Expert Predictions For Western Conference Finals Rematch Vs Denver
The Denver Nuggets are absolutely rolling. Winners of five straight games, the club's only real enemy in the Western Conference might just be its own health.
Point guard Jamal Murray incurred an ankle sprain during Denver's victory over the Miami Heat Thursday, and is currently questionable to play today, per Bennett Durando of The Denver Post.
So can the Lakers, who have yet to beat Denver in their previous two meetings (lost by an average of 10 points), best the reigning champs at home today?
We're here to answer that and your other burning questions this afternoon.
Can Los Angeles pull off an upset?
The Nuggets are favorites tonight by the slimmest of margins. Sportsbook aggregator The Action Network considers them a -1 favorite, with Murray's availability up in the air. Assuming the Lakers' new preferred starting lineup of D'Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura and Anthony Davis can all play today (which seems quite possible), LA could have a real shot. The team' s defense has taken a hit with Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent on the shelf for much of 2024, but the club's offense has thrived with this revamped first five. LA is 7-1 in its games played with that group as its starters. Look for the Lakers to win by single digits, behind big nights from Davis, James, and Russell.
Will Nikola Jokic submit a triple-double?
The MVP favorite is also this game's top favorite to notch such a stat, at +110 odds. James has the next-best odds, at +1000. Given that the All-NBA center is practically averaging a triple-double (25.8 points on .580/.345/.819 shooting splits, 12.3 rebounds, and 9.3 assists), it makes sense that the odds about him doing so tonight are quite good. The 6'11" superstar, a natural distributor, needs to be compelled to score, and taken out of his natural rhythm as a passer.
How should Los Angeles mitigate the Nuggets' size?
Nothing so drastic as a starting lineup change is needed. Weirdly, playing Rui Hachimura and/or LeBron James against Jokic at center and shifting Anthony Davis to power forward seemed to work wonders in limited minutes defensively during the two teams' meeting in the Western Conference Finals last spring. It may be worth exploring again.
