Los Angeles Lakers v Denver Nuggets Betting Tips [20 September 2020]

Los Angeles Lakers showed why they are favourites to lift the NBA title when they rolled Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. A 126-114 win gave the Lakers a deserving lead ahead of the second game which could be crucial for the Nuggets.

The Lakers started slow and gifted a 38-36 lead after the first quarter. However, a rampant second quarter saw the Lakers fly past and take a 34-21 lead in the quarter. That changed the whole scenario and even though the Nuggets won the final quarter 35-23, there was enough in the bank for the Lakers to coast to a comfortable win. The Lakers’ coach Frank Vogel would still be extremely happy at how his bench has been performing since Rajon Rondo’s comeback. Anthony Davis looked unstoppable and could be a bigger worry for the Nuggets than LeBron James.

Denver is the first team to come back from a pair of 3-1 deficits in the same playoffs to reach the conference finals. If they are planning to get there before making a run for their form, Denver could be in for a surprise as the Lakers won’t be easy to budge. Losing to the Lakers isn’t something to be overly worried about, but Denver coach Mike Malone would be concerned about the manner of the loss. After starting brightly with a 38-point quarter, the Nuggets could only score 41 in the next two quarters combined. The 3-point attempts were also their Achilles’ heel with just 34.7% success rate compared to 42.4% success for the Lakers.

LA Lakers found the rhythm early against the Denver Nuggets in the first game and upped the ante defensively. The ‘Purple and Gold’ look strong and it will take the best efforts from the Nuggets to stop them. Anthony Davis and co. look in the mood to make it 2-0 and we believe that they will come up stronger than their Denver counterparts Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Back the Lakers to win and by a differential of at least 6 points.