The Western Conference Finals starts tonight with The Los Angeles Lakers against the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets are favored to win the series with a price of -170. The Lakers have a price of +145. The Nuggets have homecourt advantage.
The Nuggets have led the Western Conference the entire regular season. The Lakers were in the play-in tournament. The Nuggets have a deep rotation and will play 8-9 players. The Lakers made significant changes to their roster and are the best defensive team of the 4 remaining in the playoffs.
Top Players: LeBron James vs. Nikola Jokic. Jokic is the best all-around center in the NBA. LeBron is one of the best players to ever play, period. There will be times in this series when James will play Jokic . Enjoy those match-ups.
Coaching: Lakers Head Coach Darvin Ham and Denver Head Coach Mike Malone. Slight edge to Malone based on tenure as a head coach. Ham has done an excellent job of making this team over after the trade deadline acquisitions.
The Road here: Denver was clearly better than the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Phoenix Suns. They have the ability to play fast and in half court sets. The lakers were physically able to dominate the Memphis Grizzlies and the Golden State Warriors. Paint points will be a determining factor in this series.
Who wins: This series is a rematch of 2020. Only Anthony Davis and LeBron remain from that team. Davis should dominate in the same fashion as he did in 2020.The Lakers won that series in 5 games. The X factor is Denver Guard Jamal Murray, who's resembling his bubble performances of 2020. The Lakers will rely on Dennis Schroder to stifle Murray. LeBron wants the opportunity to play for his 5th Championship. This series goes his way in 6 games.
Game One: The Nuggets are favored by 6 and the total is 222. The price is -110 for both plays. The extra day to prepare will help Denver. Lakers will have an emotional let down after destroying the Warriors in Game 6. Grab the Nuggets in Game one and take the over.
Player Props: Jokic over 9.5 assists, The price is -125. He goes over. Murray over 24.5 points. Murray has exceeded 24 points in 5 of his last 7 playoff games. He goes over.
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