The Denver Nuggets are now just two wins away from their first NBA Finals appearance after taking a commanding 2-0 lead in their Western Conference Finals series against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Nuggets won Game 2 with a stunning 106-103 victory that saw Jamal Murray score 23 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter, including four of five three-pointers. Lakers’ LeBron James and Austin Reaves responded with 22 points each, with the Lakers putting in an improved performance after their slow start in the opener, leading 53-48 by half-time. The Nuggets’ two-time MVP, Nikola Jokic, added 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 12 assists following his inspired win in game one.
Despite leading 2-0, the Nuggets are fully aware that the series is far from won and will be looking to turn things around in Game 3 and get back into the series on Saturday. “We just try to win one game at a time. That is the mindset that we have,’ said Jokic. The next two games will be played in Los Angeles, and the Lakers are the favorites to win Game 3 of their NBA Playoffs series against the Denver Nuggets, with a -220 moneyline from Tipico Sportsbook.
However, according to Sportsbook Wire, the Lakers’ average points per game of 117.2 is only 4.7 more than the number given up by the Nuggets, suggesting it could be a closer game than expected. ESPN gives the Lakers a 56.6% win probability, with a 43.4% chance for the Nuggets. Play Picks advises taking the Nuggets with the points, while Five Thirty Eight puts the Lakers’ chances of winning Game 3 at 54% and Denver’s at 46%. CapperTek predicts a 121-117 win for the Lakers, while Sports Betting Dime predicts a 117.9-115.7 win for the Nuggets.
As the series moves to Los Angeles, here are three key things to look out for:
1. Aaron Gordon Needs to Improve His Performance on Offense
Aaron Gordon has struggled on offense so far in the series, and the Nuggets need him to find a scoring rhythm in order to push the Lakers to make more decisions. The pressure will be on Gordon to step up his game and contribute to the team’s scoring efforts.
2. Make the Lakers Run and Tire Them Out
The Lakers are known for their physicality and ability to grind out games, but if Denver can make them run and tire them out, it will give them an advantage in the game’s final stages. The Nuggets will be looking to turn the tables on the Lakers and use their youth and athleticism to their advantage.
3. Defending Austin Reaves in Crunch Time
Austin Reaves has been shooting well in the second half of games, and the Nuggets will have to find a way to defend him in crunch time in order to close out the game. The Lakers’ rookie guard has been crucial to their success in the playoffs so far, and the Nuggets will need to limit his impact if they want to win Game 3.
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone has suggested that his team were motivated by the media focus on the Los Angeles Lakers rather than their own achievements in the first two games of the NBA Western Conference finals. Despite attention being given to the Lakers’ ability to fight back in each game, rather than the performances of Denver’s players such as Nikola Jokic, who has had 13 career playoff triple-doubles so far, Malone suggested his team were spurred on by the narrative that the Lakers would improve following their game one defeat.
In conclusion, despite the Lakers being the favorites to win Game 3, the Denver Nuggets are a team on a mission and will be looking to continue their impressive playoff form to secure a place in the NBA Finals. With the series moving to Los Angeles, the Lakers will be looking to make a comeback and keep their hopes alive of winning a championship this year. However, as the Nuggets have shown, they are not to be underestimated, and their strong team chemistry and ability to step up in crucial moments could make the difference in this series.
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