Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals between the Nuggets and Lakers takes place on Sunday night. Los Angeles holds a 1-0 series lead after winning the opener 126-116.
L.A. is the top seed in the Western Conference, and they are now an impressive 9-2 so far this postseason. The Lakers eliminated both the Trail Blazers and Rockets in five games to reach the conference finals.
Denver has had to endure a pair of seven-game series’ to get to this point, but they were able to survive both. The Nuggets eliminated the Jazz in round 1, and then stunned the Clippers in the conference semifinals.
The Lakers are 7.5-point favorites over Denver in Game 2 on Sunday night.
James, Davis Powering Lakers
Los Angeles has a pair of superstars in LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and that duo has been carrying the team throughout the postseason. Both Davis and James were terrific in Game 1, and the Nuggets don’t seem to have an answer for either of them.
Davis led the way with 37 points and 10 rebounds in the series opener, and he was also terrific on the defensive end of the floor. James had just 15 points in the Game 1 win, but he paced the offense with 12 assists.
The Lakers shot better than 42 percent from the three-point line in Game 1 as well, and they are a tough team to beat when they are making shots. Los Angeles is not the deepest team in the NBA, but they have enough scoring options on the bench.
The Lakers are committed to stopping Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic in this series, and they have more than enough defensive weapons to accomplish that goal.
Nuggets Must Make Shots
If Denver is going to win Game 2 and even up the series then they are going to have to make more shots from deep. Denver made just nine three-pointers in the Game 1 loss, and this team relies on its shooting from beyond the arc.
Murray and Jokic continue to lead the way offensively for Denver. The two stars combined for 42 points in the Game 1 loss, and Michael Porter Jr. chipped in 14. It will take a balanced effort for Denver to score enough points to beat the Lakers.
On the defensive end of the floor, look for the Nuggets to double-team Davis more in Game 2, and force the Lakers to beat them from deep. Los Angeles is capable of making shots, but Denver has to make some adjustments heading into Sunday night.
Lakers Take 2-0 Series Lead
The Nuggets have had a great run throughout the playoffs, but they are just way overmatched in this series. The Lakers are not going to let Denver hang around, and they will be out to take a convincing 2-0 series lead.
The Lakers have two of the best players in the NBA on their roster, and Davis and James will simply carry this team to another win. The Nuggets don’t have anyone to match up with these stars defensively, and they don’t have enough offense either.
Look for the Lakers to control this game just as they did in the series opener. Bet the Los Angeles Lakers -7.5 over the Denver Nuggets in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.
