Game 3 of the Western Conference Playoff Series between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers is set to take place on Thursday night. Denver has taken a 2-0 series lead in this matchup, but now the action is going to shift to Los Angeles.
Denver is the defending NBA Champions, and this team was able to earn the number two seed in the Western Conference this season. The Nuggets are a much better team on their home floor, but they have also won big games on the road this season.
The Lakers earned the number seven seed in the West after winning the first play-in tournament games. Los Angeles will now need to win both games at home before trying to steal home court advantage.
Despite being on the road, the Denver Nuggets are slim 1.5-point betting favorites in Game 3.
Dynamic Duo Leading the Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets have one of the most complete teams in the league, but they are also led by a pair of superstars. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray set the tone for this team, and each player has already had some big moments.
Jokic is averaging 29.5 points and 16 rebounds per game for the Nuggets, and he has also dished out 8.5 assists per game. Murray hit the game-winning shot in Game 2, and he can take over a game on the perimeter.
Denver wants to push the ball in this game, and that should allow them to wear down a slower Lakers team. Getting stops on defense is a big key to the success of the Nuggets this season.
Lakers Must Make Shots
The Los Angeles Lakers are going to have to shoot the ball well to win this game, but that’s not always a strength of this team. Los Angeles has made just 10.5 three-pointers per game in this series, and that’s not good enough to get it done.
Anthony Davis is leading the way with 32 points and 12.5 rebounds per game this series, and he will need to take over in this game. LeBron James is also pouring in 26.5 points per game, and he will be looking to put on a show at home.
The Lakers simply don’t have an answer for Jokic in the paint, but this team will be looking to guard the perimeter to slow down the Nuggets. It will take a complete game by the Nuggets to win their first game of the series.
LeBron, Lakers Get a Win
The Denver Nuggets are clearly the better overall team in this series, but things haven’t been easy in the first two games. Denver was able to hold serve on their home floor, but they aren’t good enough to win this series in a split.
The end is near for the career of LeBron James, but he is still one of the best players in the league when he is on the floor. James is not going to allow his team to be swept in this series, and this should be a great performance.
Bet on the Los Angeles Lakers moneyline in this game as they will get their first win of the series in Game 3.
