Game 2 of the Western Conference Final tips off on Thursday, May 18 at 8:30 p.m. ET at Denver’s Ball Arena. Denver is listed as a 5.5-point favorite in the Nuggets vs Lakers odds.
LeBron James and the Lakers look to even up the series at one game apiece, while the Nuggets will look to jump out to a 2-0 lead as heavy favorites once again Thursday. In addition to the main betting markets available at the best sports betting apps, there are plenty of prop bets available. Below, we’ll take a look at the best NBA Player Prop Bets for Lakers vs. Nuggets Game 2.
Best NBA Player Prop Bets: Nuggets vs. Lakers Game 2
Here are three Nuggets vs Lakers player props to consider for your Game 2 wagers.
LeBron James UNDER 25.5 points (-115 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
The Denver Nuggets foolishly used a switch-heavy approach with James that led Jamal Murray to spend 2 minutes and 10 seconds covering him, which James turned into plenty of points via made shots and trips to the free-throw line. James racked up 12 points from the floor on 5 for 7 shooting when lined up against Murray. Those shots alone accounted for 46.2% of James’ scoring. He scored a much less impressive six points from the floor on 3 for 6 when lined up against his primary defender, Aaron Gordon.
James is averaging only 23.6 points per game in the postseason and 22.8 points on the road. He has gone over this number in two of his seven road playoff starts.
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Aaron Gordon OVER 0.5 blocks (+105 at FanDuel Sportsbook)
If the Nuggets are less willing to switch Gordon off James, Gordon is likelier to swat shots. Of James’ 26 points in Game 1, 53.8% came in the paint. He leaned on his ability to back Murray down and get to the rim. That should lead Denver coach Michael Malone to have Gordon fight through more screens or ensure he can switch off his man and bail Murray out near the basket. Let’s trust Gordon to play a more aggressive role on the defensive end in Game 2.
The books have soured on Gordon as a defender because of his relative inability to get blocks in the postseason. He is averaging only 0.5 block per game in the playoffs and has recorded one in four of his 12 starts. However, his previous series came against teams that are less reliant on interior scoring than the Lakers — only 61% of the Timberwolves’ field goal attempts came from inside the arc, and only 40.6% of the Suns’ points came from within the paint. Let’s trust Gordon to look more like his regular-season self against a Lakers team that depends on cutting to the rim to score points.
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Nikola Jokic Triple-Double (-125 at BetMGM Sportsbook)
Nikola Jokic took over early in Game 1 as he tallied 12 rebounds, eight points, and five assists in just the first quarter. He finished the contest with 34 points, 21 rebounds and 14 assists as he continues to lead Denver. The two-time NBA MVP is averaging 31 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 10.1 assists per game this postseason.
Jokic has now posted a triple-double in four of his last five games, and yet it is a prop bet that comes with only slightly juiced odds. Even if the Lakers focus on shutting down Jokic’s scoring chances, he will still have plenty of opportunities to pass to open teammates and crash the glass.
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Article contributed by Mariah Janos.
