Nuggets vs. Lakers Game 2 odds, expert picks: Will Denver take a 2-0 series lead?
Suffice it to say, Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers lived up to the hype and then some. We saw stars shine their brightest, multiple scintillating displays of offensive mastery and an improbable near-comeback that created high drama down the stretch. If that is any indication of what is to come, we could be in for a long and entertaining bout.
It continues on Thursday with Game 2 at Ball Arena. Here is the rundown.
During the NBA Playoffs, The Athletic’s writers will make their straight-up picks. You’ll find picks, coverage and the latest odds here. Our in-depth NBA coverage is linked below the picks.
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No. 1 Nuggets vs. No. 7 Lakers
8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
What are the odds for the Nuggets vs. Lakers?
Series: Nuggets lead 1-0
Series odds: Nuggets -250, Lakers +200
We knew the Nikola Jokić versus Anthony Davis matchup had the potential for fireworks. But even the most ardent big man basketball believer could not have foreseen dueling performances as spark-filled as Game 1, when Jokić coolly dropped a 34-point, 21-rebound, 14-assist triple-double and Davis shot back with 40 points, 10 rebounds and five combined steals and blocks.
Spurred by outrageous shotmaking, the Nuggets pulled ahead by as many as 21 points and then survived a furious comeback bid to prevail 132-126 eventually. But both sides have reason to feel confident entering Game 2.
Denver dominated a track meet early, but the Lakers pulled themselves back into the game by going bigger in the second half. The masterstroke adjustment was Darvin Ham assigning Rui Hachimura as Jokić’s primary defender and leaving Davis to roam off of Aaron Gordon, which sometimes bogged down the Nuggets’ well-oiled offensive attack. That the Lakers were even in this game, given how overwhelming a first-half avalanche they faced — and in one of the most difficult environments in the league to win — is encouraging.
However, you could argue Denver also survived its opponent’s best offensive punch. The Lakers ended the game with whopping 54.8/45.8/88.5 percent shooting splits and nearly hit their playoff high (128) with 126 points in regulation. Perhaps a statement on the Nuggets’ porous defense? Time will tell.
Denver again enters as a solid favorite for Game 2. But as the adage goes, the series does not start until a road team steals a victory. That is what the Lakers will be gunning for on Thursday.
