Prediction, Best Bets & Odds Nuggets vs Lakers Game 4

Is tonight the night that the Denver Nuggets will reach the NBA Finals for the first time in the franchise’s history? With a 3-0 lead, the Western Conference title is almost a certainty, but the Los Angeles Lakers will be aiming to prolong the series with a Game 4 win (8:30 pm ET, ESPN).

After taking care of business at home in Games 1 and 2, the Nuggets moved within a win of a conference title with a 119-108 Game 3 win at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday. Los Angeles held a lead in the fourth quarter, but a 13-0 run put Denver up by a dozen and ended the Lakers’ chances of trimming the series deficit to 2-1.

Will Denver finish off the sweep tonight, or will the series return to Ball Arena for a Game 5 on Wednesday? Read on for our Nuggets vs Lakers Game 4 prediction and best bets here.

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Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers Odds

Spread

• Denver Nuggets +3 (-110)
• Los Angeles Lakers -3 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 224.5 (-110)
• Under 224.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• Denver Nuggets +132
• Los Angeles Lakers -156

Is There No Hope Left for the Lakers?

While the Lakers lost both games in Denver, they weren’t blown away in either loss. And they had a great chance to win Game 2, which they led by as many as 11 in the third quarter.

But instead of making the most of their return home, they squandered another opportunity to get back into the series.

After trailing by 14 in the first quarter, the Lakers clawed their way back into the game, and they led by one three times in the fourth quarter, the last time at 94-93 with 7:48 left. But the Nuggets went on a 13-0 run across the next three minutes, and that was that.

Yet again, the Lakers had no answer for Jamal Murray, who hit the 30-point mark for the third straight game and the seventh time in this year’s playoffs. Murray had 37 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, and he made 15 of 29 shots from the field, including 5 of 11 from three.

While Murray continues to hurt the Lakers with his outside shooting, the Lakers hurt themselves again by misfiring from outside. After making 11 of 24 (45.8%) from three in Game 1, they were only 8 of 30 (26.7%) in Game 2, then went just 10 of 32 (31.3%) in Game 3.

Perimeter shooting isn’t the backbone of what the Lakers need to succeed, but the Game 1 loss in Denver is the only loss out of their seven losses this postseason in which they shot 40% or better from three.

Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction and Best Bets

Prediction for Nuggets vs Lakers: Lakers to win

Best Bets for Nuggets vs Lakers: Lakers -3 & Nuggets/Lakers over 224.5

Based on history, a conference championship for the Nuggets is a matter of when, not if, unless we see a comeback for the ages.

But the Lakers have shown enough in the first three games that I think they will at least force the Nuggets to have to wrap things up at their own arena.

Best Player Prop Bets for Nuggets vs Lakers

• Jamal Murray over 26.5 points
• Jamal Murray over 3.5 made threes

The Nuggets wouldn’t be where they are without Nikola Jokic, but Murray has shown that he is equally indispensable.

In the Western Conference finals, he is shooting 52.1% from the field, 45% from three, and 93.3% from the foul line, and he is averaging 7.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 3.0 steals per game in addition to 35.0 points per game.

Murray has made four or more threes in eight of 14 games in this year’s playoffs, and he has had 27 or more points in eight of 14 games as well. It doesn’t look like the Lakers have no answer for him, and even if the home team comes out on top, I expect Murray to still get his tonight.