Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 20/04/2024, 01:42  by Joseph King in NBA Predictions

A rematch of last season’s Western Conference Finals sees the second seed Denver Nuggets hosting the seventh seed LA Lakers in the first round. Denver finished the season with a 57-25 record, equaling that of the first-place OKC Thunder. However, the defending champions would have to settle for second in the standings due to their inferior head-to-head record. The Nuggets won their first championship in franchise history last season and they will now be bidding to become the first repeat champs since the 2018 Warriors. They ended the year on a good run of form with four wins from their last five games. The regular season was capped off with a 126-111 away victory over the Memphis Grizzlies which saw eight players score in the double-digits. Denver opens this series at Ball Arena where they have one of the NBA’s best home records. Only the 64-win Boston Celtics have superior home results than the Nuggets who recorded 33 victories in their 41 outings.

The Lebron-led Lakers will be looking for revenge after being swept out of the playoffs last season by Denver. The 39-year-old James won’t have many opportunities left at a fifth championship ring as he is in the twilight of his career. Despite being in his 20th-year, Lebron is still playing at an elite level. He finished the season with a statline of: 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.1 assists on 54% shooting and 41% from deep. Los Angeles racked up a 47-35 record this season which was good for the eighth seed. They defeated the Pelicans 110-106 in the play-in tournament to leapfrog New Orleans and claim the seventh seed. The Lakers also ended the season on a hot streak with three consecutive wins and seven wins from their last 10 overall. The goal for the visitors will be to steal home court by winning one of the first two games before the series heads to LA.