NBA Handicapping Predictions – Lakers vs Nuggets
Denver was supposed to be finished by now, but they marched into Staples Center on Tuesday night and stunned the Lakers 102-99.
NBA Basketball Matchup: #3 Los Angeles Lakers (3-2) vs. #6 Denver Nuggets (2-3)
Date/Time: May 11, 10:30 PM EST on TNT
NBA Gambling Odds from Bovada
NBA Betting Favorite: Nuggets -1.5
Over/Under: 197
The Lakers seemed to think it would be easier to finish off the Nuggets, but Denver has fought back and has the home court advantage here.
Will the Lakers allow this series to go to a deciding Game Seven or can they win in Denver?
Andrew Bynum gave the Nuggets some bulletin board material before last game and then played a subpar game. He’ll need to great in this one if the Lakers are going to take care of business on the road. The Lakers had won eight straight close-out games before losing on Tuesday night.
Kobe Bryant went off for 43 points in that game, but the rest of the team never got into an offensive rhythm. Pau Gasol is averaging just 12.8 points per game in this series so far, and the Lakers need more from him on the offensive end.
Defensively, the Lakers weren’t nearly as active in the paint last game. They’ll need their defensive intensity back for Game Six. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Andre Miller and Javale McGee had both struggled through the first four games, but they led the Nuggets to a crucial Game Five victory in Los Angeles. McGee seemed to be particularly motivated by Bynum’s comments. He piled up 21 points and 14 rebounds.
Miller had 24 points and 8 assists. Al Harrington just hasn’t been able to get going at all in this series, and he is a guy this team really needs on the offensive end. Harrington was 0-7 from the floor on Tuesday. Ty Lawson will be pushing the pace for George Karl’s team again tonight.
The Nuggets have a much better chance if this game is played in the open floor rather than the half court.
The Lakers are a better team than the Nuggets, and I think the Lakers will bounce back here. If the game is close at the end, the Lakers have the closer that the Nuggets don’t have.
Late Note: Kobe Bryant is NOT expected to play tonight.
Free NBA Pick: Nuggets -1.5
