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NBA Playoff Odds: Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game 1

The rested Denver Nuggets take on a Los Angeles Lakers team that was pushed to the limit by Houston in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals at Staples Center on Tuesday, May 19th at 9:00 pm EST on ESPN. NBA odds makers have given the nod to the defending Western Conference champs in the series opener, listing the Los Angeles Lakers as 6.5-point favorites with the total set at 215.

A lengthy layoff will not be to blame if the Lakers come out flat in Game 1 Tuesday night. After making quick work of the Utah Jazz in five games, the Lakers did not play from April 28th until the evening of May 4th and the rust showed as Houston was able to steal Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals on the road. Perhaps, with just one full day of rest in between its Game 7 win over Houston and its Game 1 series opener against the Nuggets, LA will be able to start out this series much sharper.  It won’t hurt that history is on its side.  The Lakers have had Denver’s number for as long as I can remember as they are 40-13 against the Nuggets since 1996 and 11-4 straight up and against the spread over the last three seasons. The Lakers have been truly dominant against Denver at home, going 24-2 straight up and 18-6 against the spread since 1996 and 7-1 straight up and against the spread over the last three seasons. The Lakers won this year’s season series 3-1. Including the playoffs, LA is 42-6 at home this season. If you like LA to take care of business on its home floor in Game 1, bet the Lakers at -6.5 at BetUS and receive up to 145 percent in sign up bonuses.

While the Lakers may be better off playing without a long layoff, the Nuggets don’t seem to mind playing with some extra rest on their side. Following a five-game series win over the Hornets, Denver took advantage of some extra rest time and clubbed the Mavericks 109-95 in Game 1 of its Western Conference Semifinal series. The Nuggets will most definitely have their legs under them Tuesday night as they haven’t played since May 13th. Depending on the line, the Denver Nuggets are 8-2 straight up and a perfect 10-0 against the spread in the 2009 NBA Playoffs. While Denver appears to have its work cut out for itself because of the history that I discussed in the above paragraph, it has easily been the most dominant team in the Western Conference Playoffs. In fact, Denver’s strong play has some experts going as far as picking the Nugs to go all the way, but they will not have home court on their side in this round. Denver appears to have an edge with its bench so it will be vital that guys like The Bird Man and J.R. Smith continue to come up big when the Laker starters are getting rest. I believe that Denver’s chances in this series largely depend on the performance of Carmelo Anthony. Anthony’s struggles against LA are well documented, but if he plays like he did against Dallas (30ppg, 6.8rpg), Denver has a serious chance to shock the defending Western Conference champs. If you think odds makers are spotting Denver too many points in Game 1, bet the Nuggets at +6.5 at BetUS.

Jimmy Boyd has nailed 13 of his last 18 NBA picks, including 8 of his last 10 NBA Top Plays. Make sure you’re doing your NBA betting with Mr. Boyd in the Conference Finals.

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