Prediction & Best Bets Lakers vs Nuggets Game 1: Will the Lakers shock in Mile High?

The 2023 NBA Western Conference Finals are here and it all kicks off tonight as the Los Angeles Lakers roll into the Mile Hight City to take on the Denver Nuggets in a fight for a ticket to the NBA Finals.

THE WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS ARE HERE‼️

Three years later, the Lakers and Nuggets meet again 🍿 pic.twitter.com/GrQ3I1KrCG

— ESPN (@espn) May 16, 2023

In a rematch of the 2020 Western Conference Finals in the Bubble, Nikola Jokic and the top seed Nuggets will look to take down the King and the surging Lakers.

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Can the Joker lead the Nuggets to his first NBA Finals of his career or will LeBron and Anthony Davis surge the Lakers to a trip to the NBA Finals?

It all starts tonight and below, you will find everything you need for Game 1.

Let’s dive in!

Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Game 1

• Game Date and Time: Tuesday, May 16th, 2023. 8:30 PM EST
• Game Location: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
• Where to Watch: ESPN

Spread

• Lakers +6 (-110)
• Nuggets -6 (-110)

MoneyLine

• Lakers (+200)
• Nuggets (-240)

Total

• Over 222.5 (-110)
• Under 222.5 (-110)

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Prediction

The road for both of these teams to the Finals of the deep Western conference was a bit different but starting tonight, how they got here is all in the past.

The Nuggets took care of the Wolves in Round One easily in 5 games and then surprisingly dismantled the Suns in 6 on the back of sensational play from the 2 time MVP Nikola Jokic.

Keep it goin’, Jok 🃏 pic.twitter.com/24ko8j82CW

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) May 15, 2023

I won’t lie, I was a bit skeptical of the ability of the Nuggets to go deep in the playoffs and boy have they proved me wrong, and it mostly due to the dominance of the Joker.

If Jokic can continue this type of play, the Nuggets might be on their way to a title and I don’t see Jokic slowing down. But the Lakers provide a whole different type of test for the Nuggets, and at the end of the day, it is hard to bet against a determined LeBron James.

Can the Lakers repeat their 2020 success but without the Bubble?

The Lakers’ path to the Conference Finals has been a bit bumpier than the Nuggets but they have passed every test so far and will look to add possibly the most impressive notch to their belt starting tonight.

The Lakers slid into the playoffs after winning their play-in game against the Timberwolves, and haven’t looked back since. They handled the Grizzlies in Round One in 6 games and proceeded to take down the defending champion Warriors in 6 in Round 2.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis have been playing winning basketball on both ends of the court to lead the Lakers, but it has been the play of the role players that has pushed the Lakers towards a NBA Title.

Austin Reaves, Dennis Schroder, D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, and Lonnie Walker IV have all played key roles in this playoff run and will have to continue to make meaningful contributions if the Lakers want to knock off the top seeded Nuggets.

And that starts tonight.

Best Bet

Boy oh boy, this series is going to be fun and it is going to get started with a bang tonight. I feel pretty confident the Nuggets will take care of Game 1 at home, where they have been awesome throughout the playoffs but the Lakers pose a whole new challenge.

The Denver Nuggets have the best offensive rating this postseason.

The Los Angeles Lakers have the best defensive rating this postseason.

Predict the score of Game 1. pic.twitter.com/iBv8Gpbk8C

— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 16, 2023

It is power on power tonight and it will be a test for both sides all series long. The Nuggets will face their toughest test so far from this Lakers defence and I think that causes this Game to be close tonight.

Give me the Lakers to cover and I would not be shocked whatsoever if LeBron and the gang snagged Game one in Mile High. But I will safely take the points.

Lakers +6.5 (-110) BetMGM

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Player Prop of the Game for Lakers vs Nuggets

Michael Porter Jr. o5.5 Rebounds (-130) BetOnline

I know you are probably like…what? This is the prop you are choosing in this game full of so many other stars?

Yes I am and here is why.

MPJ was a beast on the glass in the series with the Suns, grabbing 6+ rebounds in 3 of the last 4 games to close out the series.

He also had 7+ rebounds in both matchups with the Lakers this season. Jokic will be tied up with Anthony Davis and LeBron James all night long which will require other members of the Nuggets to have to crash the boards.

I love Porter Jr. to stay aggressive on the glass and get 6+ boards once again.

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Enjoy all of the Conference Finals! There are some great matchups to take in.

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