Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers

The Denver Nuggets and the LA Lakers are both really banged up. Denver has Murray, Jokic, and Braun on the injury report. That is 65 points, 22 rebounds, and 19 assists that could be out, or could play, but certainly not at 100%. The Lakers are going to be without LeBron James for sure and it looks like Doncic and Hochimura are either going to be out or not at 100%. Those numbers are nearly identical to Denver. Those three Lakers average 65 points 22 rebounds and 18 assists. There is just too much star-power that at best won't be utilized to their fullest extent, if at all. The Lakers have been the second best team at home in the Western Conference this season at 27-7. The Lakers are on a heater at home where they are 14-1 SU and 12-3 ATS in their last 15. Make the play on the Lakers ATS, and bet this game to stay UNDER.

Los Angeles returned from a stunning defeat against Charlotte on Wednesday and defeated Portland 110-102 the following night. LeBron James scored 40 points, Austin Reaves 32, and the Lakers won and covered despite the absence of Luka Doncic, who was rested. Doncic figures to be back in the lineup for this game, and the Lakers have covered six straight versus teams with winning records. Los Angeles is on a current 7-2 ATS run, and it will try to slow down the Nuggets, who have won nine in a row. However, all of those wins came against teams with losing records. The Lakers have covered four of their past five road contests and five of six overall against the Western Conference. Take the points with the Lakers.

Denver goes for a gentleman's sweep as it allowed the Lakers a win in Game 4, but now the Nuggets go back home where they are 35-8 this season and Los Angeles is 19-23-0 ATS on the road. It was the first win for the Lakers against the Nuggets in 12 games dating to December 2022. It was the first game in the series not to stay UNDER and seven of the past 10 meetings have gone UNDER. Nikola Jokic recored a triple-double despite the loss with 33 points, 14 assists and 14 rebounds. Denver is 11-5 UNDER as a favorite of 5.0-10.5 points and the Lakers have gone UNDER five of their past six first round games. Los Angeles is 1-7 ATS after a win of more than 10 points and 8-20 ATS its past 28 playoff games as an underdog. Denver is 17-7 ATS following a double-digit loss. Take the Nuggets and the first half to stay UNDER as a Max Play.