The third game of the Western Conference Finals between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers was a thrilling matchup that saw the Lakers take a 2-1 lead in the series. Both teams played with intensity and passion, but ultimately it was the Lakers who came out on top.
Expert Picks and Predictions
Before the game, experts had differing opinions on who would come out victorious. Some believed that the Nuggets would continue their momentum from their Game 2 win, while others thought that the Lakers would bounce back and take control of the series.
ESPN’s panel of experts predicted a Lakers victory, with all but one picking them to win. The lone dissenter, Royce Young, picked the Nuggets to win by a slim margin. Similarly, CBS Sports’ experts also predicted a Lakers win, with only one analyst picking the Nuggets.
In terms of point spreads, the Lakers were favored by 6.5 points, according to Vegas Insider. This meant that they were expected to win by at least seven points in order for bettors to win their wagers.
Recommended Player Props
Aside from predicting the winner of the game, experts also made recommendations on player props – bets on individual player performances. One popular prop bet was on LeBron James’ total points scored. The over/under for his points was set at 27.5, meaning that bettors could wager on whether he would score more or less than that amount.
Another popular prop bet was on Nikola Jokic’s total rebounds. The over/under for his rebounds was set at 9.5, giving bettors the opportunity to wager on whether he would grab more or fewer than that number.
Insightful Analysis
The Lakers came out strong in Game 3, with LeBron James leading the way with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists – his 26th career playoff triple-double. Anthony Davis also had a strong performance, scoring 27 points and grabbing five rebounds.
The Nuggets, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm. Jamal Murray, who had been a key player in their Game 2 win, was held to just 12 points on 5-of-17 shooting. Nikola Jokic had a solid game with 22 points and 10 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Lakers’ dominant performance.
One factor that may have contributed to the Nuggets’ struggles was their lack of depth. Their bench only scored 16 points compared to the Lakers’ 34. This meant that the Nuggets had to rely heavily on their starters, who may have been fatigued from playing extended minutes in previous games.
Overall, Game 3 was a reminder of the Lakers’ dominance and the Nuggets’ need to find ways to counter their opponents’ strengths. As the series continues, it will be interesting to see how both teams adjust their strategies and whether the Nuggets can bounce back from this loss.
