Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The Nuggets advanced to the West Finals after they defeated the Mavericks 124-110 last Wednesday. The Nuggets covered the 10.5-point spread, while the combined score sailed OVER the posted total of 213.5.
Chauncey Billups shot 10-for-16 from the field with 28 points, seven rebounds, and 12 assists for the Nuggets. Carmelo Anthony scored a team-high 30 points in the win.
The Lakers defeated Houston 89-70 as a 13-point favorite in Game 7 of their second-round series on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (194).
Pau Gasol scored a game-high 21 points to go along with 18 rebounds for Los Angeles, while Kobe Bryant added 14 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in that win
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 Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing LA Lakers are 7-3
After playing Dallas are 7-3
After a win are 6-4
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing Denver are 9-1
After playing Houston are 7-3
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Denver is 9-0-1 ATS in its last 10 games
Denver is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Denver's last 7 games when playing LA Lakers
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Denver's last 5 games
LA Lakers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games when playing at home against Denver
LA Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Denver
LA Lakers are 12-1 SU in their last 13 games at home
LA Lakers are 10-1 SU in their last 11 games when playing Denver
Next up:
Denver at LA Lakers, Thursday, May 21
DENVER (62 - 30) at LA LAKERS (73 - 21)
Top Trends for this game.
LA LAKERS are 105-89 ATS (+7.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 18-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) in home games against Northwest division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) in home games after 3 or more consecutive unders over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 55-37 ATS (+14.3 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 38-18 ATS (+18.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 55-36 ATS (+15.4 Units) in all games this season.
DENVER is 20-7 ATS (+12.3 Units) after 3 or more consecutive overs over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 20-10 ATS (+9.0 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
DENVER is 23-13 ATS (+8.7 Units) after allowing 105 points or more this season.
DENVER is 31-18 ATS (+11.2 Units) after scoring 105 points or more this season.
DENVER is 30-19 ATS (+9.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
DENVER is 21-6 ATS (+14.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA LAKERS is 11-4 against the spread versus DENVER over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS is 11-4 straight up against DENVER over the last 3 seasons
10 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
DENVER vs. LA LAKERS
Denver is 9-0-1 ATS in its last 10 games
Denver is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
LA Lakers are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games when playing Denver
LA Lakers are 10-1 SU in their last 11 games when playing Denver
Western Conference Finals
Denver at LA Lakers
Denver:
1-7 ATS at LA Lakers
18-9 Under as an Underdog
LA Lakers:
11-2 ATS at home off 3+ Unders
60-44 ATS off ATS win
NBA Playoffs
Lakers won three of four vs Denver this year, winning 104-90/116-102 at Staples, but Nuggets are 8-2 in playoffs this spring, 2-2 on road, with losses by a hoop at both New Orleans, Dallas. Lakers had tougher series in last round, though Houston never really challenged them on road, but still, Denver has edge here in terms of rest. Adding some drama to series is fact that Colorado is where Kobe Bryant had his legal problems.
Tips and Trends
Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Lakers
Nuggets: Denver has been off since Wednesday. "We're playing at a very good level, a very efficient offensive level," coach George Karl said. "Defensively, we have not been special. Against New Orleans we were pretty good. The Dallas series turned into an offensive game. I don't think we can win an offensive game against the Lakers. We have to win at least two games with our defense." The Nuggets have gone 1-10 against L.A. the last two seasons, including a four-game sweep in the first round of last year's playoffs. Karl hasn't won at Staples Center since taking over as Denver's coach midway through the 2004-05 season.
The Nuggets are 3-13 ATS in the last 16 meetings in Los Angeles.
The Under is 17-5 in the Nuggets' last 22 playoff games as an underdog.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 101
Lakers (-6.5, O/U 215): The Lakers advanced after an erratic, baffling semifinal series against the Rockets and will be trying to get back to the NBA finals for the second straight year. Said Pau Gasol: "I think what we went through with Houston made us grow as a team. Hopefully we'll show that." "Honestly, when we played them in Denver, the second-to-last time we played them, I told Melo, 'I'll see you in the Western Conference finals,' because I just felt like they had all the pieces there," Kobe Bryant said. "They had the depth, the toughness. They had the camaraderie. It's no surprise to me that they're here." Los Angeles won the season series 3-1.
The Lakers are 10-2 ATS in the last 12 meetings.
The Lakers are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games following a SU win.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 108 (UNDER - Total Play of the Day)