Sunday, September 20, 2020, AdventHealth Arena, Kissimmee, Florida, 7:30 p.m. ET
Denver Nuggets Odds
While Game 1 of the Western Conference finals seemed to stay on script, Game 2s are where the Nuggets make things interesting. Denver lost Game 2 in the first round after winning the opener, while the opposite occurred in the second round vs. the Clippers.Against the Clippers, the Nuggets played Game 1 in a hangover from their seven-game victory against the Jazz. Intent on avoiding that Friday against the other Los Angeles team, they came out hot in the first quarter against the Lakers, but shot just 35 percent in the second quarter and 36.8 in the third. Defensive intensity waned, as well, as the game progressed.Nikola Jokic’s 21 points and six rebounds were under his playoff averages of 25.1 and 10.5, respectively, as he faces more assured defenders than the Clippers had to offer.
Los Angeles Lakers Odds
With a week to gather themselves for a matchup with the Nuggets, the Lakers looked like the fresher team. They will have to be prepared for an opponent who seems to feel out a series early and then make a brazen charge late.With Anthony Davis posting 37 points and 10 rebounds and LeBron James contributing 15 points and 12 assists, the Lakers got what they needed from their stars in Game 1. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 18 points in his highest-scoring game of these playoffs.The Lakers know the defensive tweaks the Nuggets have been making mid-series are ahead. But if the series looks more like the first three quarters Friday — when the Lakers 103-79 and held rebounding and assist advantages — dare we say that it won’t go seven games.
Nuggets at Lakers Betting Pick for September 20, 2020
The Nuggets have lasted this long because they have figured out how to get each of their previous two series back onto their terms. It figures to be far more difficult to do that against the Lakers, although it did not seem probable they could alter the course against the Clippers, too.The Lakers will prove to be more of a challenging riddle that the Nuggets will need more time to solve.Nuggets at Lakers Betting Pick, Lakers (-7.5/-112), Nuggets (+7.5/-108)Lakers 114, Nuggets 104
Nuggets at Lakers Best Bet for September 20, 2020
The Lakers had their way with the Nuggets through three quarters Friday, setting the standard for some determined play. James and Davis create matchup problems galore and if the Lakers’ supporting cast takes advantage of its opportunities, Game 2 figures to look a lot like Game 1.Nuggets at Lakers Best Bet: GAME OVER 213.5 (-110)
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