Los Angeles Lakers (47-35) vs. Denver Nuggets (57-25)
As the NBA Playoffs heat up, the Los Angeles Lakers face a tough challenge against the Denver Nuggets in Game 5 of the first round on Monday, April 29, 2024. The Nuggets, with a solid regular season record of 57-25, hold the home advantage at Ball Arena against the 47-35 Lakers. Fans and bettors alike should keep an eye on this matchup, especially for those interested in the best live betting opportunities, as it promises intense action and high stakes.
The Lakers this season is an example of being resilient. They have shown strong shooting accuracy and an average of 118 points per game with a 49.9% shooting accuracy from the field. They are getting a lot of success in their offense as they bring an average of 11.8 per game from beyond the arc, at a rate of 37.7%. Nevertheless, the road record against ATS (18-22) of the Bulldogs might creep up on bettors, casting doubts on the fact that they are considered as losers in this game.
However, a bit more consistent performance can be seen with the Nuggets, they scored 114.9 points on average and enjoyed a similar field goal percentage of 49.6%. Indeed, their energy showed up mostly in the boards, with them grabbing 44.4 rebounds against the Lakers’ 43.1 boards. Furthermore, apart from the fact that Lakers assists per game slightly exceeds their counterparts, the Lakers may find it too late to invade their defense.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets Game Info
| When: | Monday, April 29, 2024 at 10:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Ball Arena, Denver, CO |
| TV: | TNT |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
LeBron James (SF) vs. Nikola Jokic (C)
LeBron James is in his late 30s, but he has continued to be a dominating player for the Lakers through 2022-2023, with an average of 35.3 minutes and 25.7 points per game this season. He continues to excel in playmaking, with 8.3 assists per game being a vital part in the Lakers’ offensive plays. On the other hand, his 3.5 turnovers per game may be something that his teammates’ defense will catch on quickly to.
On the other side, Nikola Jokic is the Nuggets’ centerpiece with an incredible 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9 assists; average per game. When he gets to the rim and his dominance of the offensive glass, these can pose serious problems for the Lakers’ defense while trying to limit his impact on the boards and in playmaking.
These team leaders, when at loggerheads, could be the deciding factor. Both James and Jokic are exceptional players with very different styles of play, and from my perspective, their head-to-head would be one of the most exciting ones to observe. The fight will not only showcase their scoring skills but also their defensive sharpness, as both of them try to limit the adversary’s impact in the game.
NBA Odds/Point Spread: Denver Nuggets -332, Total Odds: 218.5
The current betting odds reflect the Nuggets’ favoritism in this matchup, with a -332 moneyline compared to the Lakers at +260. The spread sits at 7.5, indicating expectations of a relatively close game, with a total points line set at 218.5, hinting at a high-scoring affair.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends
The Lakers series has been a mixture of outcomes with the record of 3-2 in the last five games, but less served, with 2-3 against the spread. Their uplift in the road games and their tendency to over perform on the overall points in the previous games imply potential value in betting-over on total points.
Denver Nuggets Betting Trends
As well, the Nuggets have been doing very well recently as they are 4-1 both in the terms of straight wins and against the spread in their last 5 games respectively. Their last games also generally had a higher score, with the over being scored in four of the last five matches that they played, in contrast to the trends observed for the Lakers.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets 4/29/24 Betting Picks
Considering the depth and form of both teams, along with the pivotal roles played by their star athletes, this game is likely to be tightly contested. However, the home advantage and the consistent form of the Nuggets might tilt the scales in their favor.
For those looking at NBA Playoffs picks and odds, a potential bet could be the over 218.5 total points, given both teams’ recent scoring trends. Additionally, while the Lakers offer tempting value, the safer pick might lean towards the Nuggets covering the spread.
