Nuggets vs. Lakers, 9/18/20 Game 1 Western Conference NBA Finals Predictions

Nuggets vs. Lakers Game 1 Prediction

Following their upset series win over the Clippers, the Nuggets will attempt the same feat against the NBA’s predominant L.A. team, the Lakers, in the Western Conference Finals. Game 1 is tonight at 9:00 p.m. ET and Denver is catching seven points. Will the Nuggets cover?

Game Snapshot

733 Denver Nuggets (+7) vs. 734 Los Angeles Lakers (-7); o/u 211

9:00 p.m. ET, Friday, September 18, 2020

TNT, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Lake Buena Vista, FL

Denver Nuggets DFS Spin

Nikola Jokic hit 5-of-13 shots and 6-of-6 free throws for 16 points, 22 rebounds, 13 assists, two steals and three blocks in Tuesday's incredible 104-86 win over the Clippers to take the series and set up a date with the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. Jokic was 0-for-4 from downtown and didn't shoot it well tonight, but the Nuggets have pulled off something no team has ever done, coming from down 3-1 in two series in the same playoffs. And not only that, but they were down by double digits in 5-of-6 elimination games and came back each time. Tonight was one of those, as they went on a 19-9 run to start the third quarter and never looked back. Jokic has been an absolute monster in these playoffs and it should be fun to watch him work against a Lakers team that doesn't really rely upon a center. Congratulations to the Nuggets, who sent the Clippers fishing in stunning fashion. This was Jokic's first triple-double in the playoffs, his 22 rebounds were a season high and his 13 assists tied his season high. Long live the Joker!

Los Angeles Lakers DFS Spin

LeBron James wrapped up the second round series against the Rockets with 29 points (9-of-18 FGs, 8-of-10 FTs), 11 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, one block and three 3-pointers in 31 minutes. The Lakers got their “gentleman’s sweep,” with James setting the tone in the first quarter. He scored 11 points in the opening stanza, a big reason why Los Angeles led by 15 heading into the second. James has been on the injury report throughout the postseason due to a groin injury, but there really isn’t much concern as he’s continued to take on his usual workload. Expect more of the same in the conference finals, with the Lakers set to take on either the Clippers or Nuggets.

Nuggets vs. Lakers Game 1 Betting Prediction

Hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I backed the Nuggets several times in their Western Conference semifinals series versus the Clippers and we saw how competitive Denver was throughout those seven games. No reason to fade Jokic and Co. now. The Nuggets have covered the spread in five of their last six games, are 5-1 against the number in their last six games as an underdog and are 6-2-1 ATS in their last nine games when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Here’s the kicker: They’re also 19-9 against the number in their last 28 games versus the Lakers, which included a 10-4 ATS record on the road versus L.A. Impressive.

NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS PREDICTIONS: DENVER NUGGETS +7