Lakers vs. Nuggets playoff picks Game 2: Bet on Denver to cover, Porter Jr. to fill stat sheet
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Michael Porter Jr. has averaged 17.2 points and 9.1 rebounds against the Lakers since the start of last season (10 games). Photo by Jack Dempsey/AP.
Jordan Horrobin
@JordanHorrobin
April 21, 2024

The Denver Nuggets look to build off a start series-opening performance in Game 2 against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.

The pregame narrative: Denver is on a lengthy win streak against L.A. that includes a sweep in last year's playoff matchup. I'm backing the Nuggets to cover as favourites as my best bet, while Austin Reaves and Michael Porter Jr. both have enticing lines in the prop market.

Check out these Lakers vs. Nuggets picks for Game 2 of their first-round series on April 22.

Lakers vs. Nuggets picks

Best Bet: Nuggets -7.5 (-112)

Denver's recent dominance is well documented and should be well known by now.

The Nuggets have won nine straight games against the Lakers dating back to January 2023. That includes a four-game sweep in last year's Western Conference Finals, as well as an 11-point win in Game 1 of this matchup.

In fact, Denver has covered this number in all four games against L.A. this season.

The Nuggets are 34-8 at Ball Arena with a +9.8 average point differential.

Monday's matchup will be the Lakers' fifth straight road game. They're 19-23 ATS on the road this year, per Team Rankings, and they haven't played at Crypto.com Arena since April 9.

Denver has the depth and talent to wear down L.A., and the Nuggets' track record in this matchup is, well, golden.

Count on the defending champs to cruise at home once again.

Key stat: Denver is 4-0 against L.A. this season, winning those four matchups by an average of 10.3 points.

Quick picks

Reaves over 14.5 points (-104): D'Angelo Russell has shot 30.0% or worse in four of his past five games. I think it's time for his fellow backcourt starter to take a few more shots.

Reaves was 5-for-9 from the floor in Game 1 and finished with 13 points. Prior to that game, he'd cashed this bet in seven of his previous eight against Denver — and he scored exactly 14 points in the lone miss.

On the season, Reaves averaged 15.9 points. He has gone over this point total in 49 of 84 games (58.3%).

Porter over 24.5 points/rebounds (-113): Porter went for 19 points and eight rebounds in Game 1, and I think he's capable of putting up big numbers again on Monday.

In 10 games against the Lakers since the start of the 2022-23 season, MPJ has averaged 17.2 points and 9.1 rebounds. He's hit the over six times in that span while landing on exactly 24 PR two other times.

The Lakers allow 28.9 points/rebounds per game to opposing small forwards, per Fantasy Pros.

Picks as of 3:15 p.m. on 04/21/2024.

NorthStar Bets editorial Insiders have no influence, direct or otherwise, over the setting of odds advertised on our platforms.