Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Chauncey Billups tossed in 24 points on Monday night to lead the Nuggets to a 120-101 win over the Lakers.
The Nuggets managed to cover the 4.5-point spread at home in that contest and tie up the series 2-2. The combined score went OVER the night's posted total (208.5).
J.R. Smith also tossed in 24 points in that win for Denver, while Carmelo Anthony had 15 points. Kobe Bryant scored a game-high 34 points in the loss for the Lakers.
Team records:
Denver: 54-28 SU, 45-36-1 ATS
Los Angeles: 65-17 SU, 42-39-1 ATS
Denver most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
Before playing LA Lakers are 6-4
After playing LA Lakers are 4-6
After a win are 5-5
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
Before playing Denver are 9-1
After playing Denver are 6-4
After a loss are 9-1
A few trends to consider:
Denver is 12-1-1 ATS in its last 14 games
Denver is 5-0-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Denver's last 11 games when playing LA Lakers
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Denver's last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
LA Lakers are 15-2 SU in their last 17 games when playing at home against Denver
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of the LA Lakers last 8 games
LA Lakers are 20-3 SU in their last 23 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of the LA Lakers last 7 games at home
Next up:
LA Lakers at Denver, Friday, May 29
DENVER (64 - 32) at LA LAKERS (75 - 23)
Top Trends for this game.
LA LAKERS are 106-92 ATS (+4.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 16-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) when tied in a playoff series since 1996.
LA LAKERS are 56-40 ATS (+12.0 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 39-21 ATS (+15.9 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 58-37 ATS (+17.3 Units) in all games this season.
DENVER is 28-19 ATS (+7.1 Units) in road games this season.
DENVER is 15-7 ATS (+7.3 Units) against Pacific division opponents this season.
DENVER is 13-1 ATS (+11.9 Units) in all playoff games this season.
DENVER is 54-37 ATS (+13.3 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
DENVER is 32-19 ATS (+11.1 Units) after scoring 105 points or more this season.
DENVER is 33-20 ATS (+11.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
DENVER is 24-7 ATS (+16.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
DENVER is 18-9 ATS (+8.1 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
LA LAKERS are 15-26 ATS (-13.6 Units) in home games after allowing 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA LAKERS is 12-7 against the spread versus DENVER over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS is 13-6 straight up against DENVER over the last 3 seasons
13 of 19 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
Western Conference Finals
Denver at LA Lakers
Denver:
12-1-1 ATS in playoffs
16-5 ATS if home favorite L2 games
LA Lakers:
8-1 Under in Conference Finals games
12-3 Under off road loss
DENVER vs. LA LAKERS
Denver is 12-1-1 ATS in its last 14 games
Denver is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games
LA Lakers are 11-3 ATS in their last 14 games when playing at home against Denver
LA Lakers are 15-2 SU in their last 17 games when playing at home against Denver
NBA Playoffs
Nuggets scored 120 points in Game 4 win with Anthony just 3-16 from floor; series has gotten progressively more physical (foul shots so far in each game-- 59-72-76-84). Only one of four Denver losses in playoffs was by more than a hoop- Games 1-2 on this court were split, with four points total margin of victory. 10 of Bryant's 26 shots in Game 4 were behind arc, so they did decent job of keeping him on perimeter. Denver had 20 offensive rebounds, was +18 on boards in Game 4.
Tips and Trends
Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Lakers
Nuggets: "They've been playing every other day since May and we've had our breaks and the advantage to heal our bodies is better than the Lakers," Chris Andersen said. "Now we're starting to get back in our rhythm that we were at when the playoffs started." He also said, "One of our main focuses (in Game 4) was trying to get the rebound so that way we can do our running game. Our best offense is our defense and rebounding is a big part of that." Denver's trio of Nene, Kenyon Martin and Andersen dominated the boards 42-25 in Game 4.
The Nuggets are 21-5 ATS in their last 26 games overall.
The Under is 20-6 in the Nuggets' last 26 playoff games as an underdog.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 99
Lakers (-6, O/U 209.5): "When you get behind, you take quick shots and you tend to give those guys some good numbers when it comes to rebounding," Lamar Odom said. "We want to clean up the defensive boards and keep them off the offensive boards." The Lakers were pushed to seven games before escaping against Houston, and the fatigue appears to be showing. Kobe Bryant wouldn't concede fatigue is hurting the Lakers. "I don't think it had anything to do with how we played yesterday, they just played better," he said. "We do a pretty good job of responding to challenges and we certainly have one here tomorrow night. The challenge of the situation re-energizes me."
The Under is 8-1 in the Lakers' last 9 Conference Finals games.
The Lakers are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games following a SU loss.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 105 (UNDER - Total Play of the Day)