LA Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Plugs Prediction NBA Picks 4/22/24

- Denver Nuggets (58-25) vs LA Lakers (49-36)

Tonight we have The LA Lakers and Denver Nuggets meeting once again in Game 2 of the Western First Round NBA Playoffs at the Ball Arena. The Nuggets took game one with no problem but do we think LA will just roll over and take it like that again! Let’s look into this game and both teams to find a winning prediction for this playoff showdown!

The Nuggets rank 30th in the league for three-point field goal attempts per game this season (31.2).
The Nuggets rank 1st in the league for Q1 opponent points per game this season (26.5).
The Lakers rank 30th in the league for offensive rebounds per game this season (8.2).
The Lakers rank 30th in the league for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (93.7).

( Pic - NBA.com )

We have seen so many different types of this team and they are very unpredictable in my eyes. These LA Lakers do look to even up the series here and it would be smart to do just that before heading into game 3 on Thursday. The Lakers are averaging 103 points on 49.4% shooting and allowing 114 points on 46.1% shooting. Anthony Davis is averaging 32 points and 14 rebounds, while LeBron James is averaging 27 points and 6 rebounds. D’Angelo Russell is the third double-digit scorer and Austin Reaves is grabbing 4 rebounds. The LA Lakers are shooting 27.6% from beyond the arc and 89.5 percent from the free throw line. The Lakers are also allowing 35.7% shooting from deep and are grabbing 40 rebounds per game. Can they step up and grab a win here.

Anthony Davis rank 2nd amongst qualified players for steals + blocks per game (3.5) this season.
LeBron James is one of only four qualified players in the league averaging at least 7.0 assists and 7.0 rebounds this season.

( pic- NBA.com )

The defending champs are in the building! The Denver Nuggets look to take a quick 2-0 series lead before heading out to LA. The Denver Nuggets are averaging 114 points on 46.1 percent shooting and allowing 103 points on 49.4% shooting. Nikola Jokic is averaging 32 points and 12 rebounds, while Jamal Murray is averaging 22 points and 6 rebounds. Michael Porter Jr. is the third double-digit scorer and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is grabbing 2 rebounds. The Denver Nuggets are shooting 35.7% from beyond the arc and 83.3% from the free throw line. The Denver Nuggets are allowing 27.6% shooting from deep and are grabbing 49 rebounds per game. These Denver boys are built different, especially at Mile High! can they take a 2-0 lead tonight and head to LA in great shape?

The Nuggets rank 30th in the league for three-point field goal attempts per game this season (31.2).
The Nuggets rank 1st in the league for Q1 opponent points per game this season (26.5).
The Lakers rank 30th in the league for offensive rebounds per game this season (8.2).
The Lakers rank 30th in the league for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (93.7).

-The Plugs Game Prediction-

( pic- TheoutletSV.com )

Denver Nuggets -7.5 -110

I truly do want to take the Lakers and the points here because they have the ability to run with the Nuggets and these recent games have all been pretty competitive. With that being said, i still think at some point we need to see results from this Lakers squad. The Nuggets have now won 9 straight games against the Lakers and have covered 6 straight games as well. these results and numbers are to much to disregard. The Lakers had a big second quarter lead in game 1 and lost it pretty quickly and that is the small things that can stand out and show you a bigger picture. The Nuggets are 34-8 SU at home this season, and they've covered 5 of their last 6 games overall. Like i said, I need to see better results from the Lakers and as of right now the Nuggets simply own the Lakers. I'll lay the points with the Nuggets in game 2 for a cover and a win to head into LA with a 2-0 lead!.