NBA

Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets picks, predictions: Who wins NBA Playoffs series?

Arizona Republic

The No. 7 seed Los Angeles Lakers and No. 2 seed Denver Nuggets play in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs for the Western Conference starting Saturday, April 20.

Who will win the series and advance to the Western Conference semifinals?

Check out these NBA Playoffs series picks and predictions for the Western Conference matchup.

The Nuggets are -335 to win the series in NBA Playoffs odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook. The Lakers are +270.

The Nuggets winning in five games is at +250 in odds for the outcome of the series. Denver is +410 to win in seven games, +460 to win in six games and +490 to sweep the Lakers.

The Lakers are +650 to beat Denver in six games, +`1100 to win in seven games, +1600 to win in five games and +3000 to sweep the Nuggets.

NBA.com: Nuggets will sweep Lakers in four games

Michael C. Wright writes: "Jokic averaged a triple-double against Davis last year in the playoffs, and there’s no reason to expect a dropoff this time. Los Angeles lacks depth and the firepower in the starting group to keep up with Denver’s experienced core. The Nuggets finished the 2022-23 regular season in a slump. They enter this postseason rolling. This won’t be close."

Sporting News: Nuggets will defeat Lakers in six games

Gilbert McGregor writes: "There's something to be said about this meeting coming two rounds earlier than it did last year. The Nuggets' recent success over the Lakers is a sign that they are still the better team. But LA is in a better position to extend the series this time. The Lakers will enter Game 1 with three days' rest after their Play-In Tournament victory, and the games within the series will be more spread out than last year's conference finals. The Lakers are healthier and have enough momentum to take a game or two off of the Nuggets. Denver, however, is still too good, a fact that begins with Jokic's greatness."

Will the Denver Nuggets or Los Angeles Lakers win their NBA Playoffs series? NBA picks, predictions and odds weigh in on the first-round NBA postseason matchup.

The Oklahoman: Nuggets will advance past Lakers in five games

Justin Martinez writes: "Los Angeles is playing its best basketball of the season. But it still hasn't discovered a winning formula against Denver, which has won the last eight meetings. On defense, the Nuggets can make life difficult for LeBron James by throwing Aaron Gordon at him. On offense, their two-man game of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray is virtually unstoppable. Los Angeles will take a game this time, but Denver will still prevail."

Sporting News: Nuggets will win series vs. Lakers in five games

Stephen Noh writes: "The Lakers really haven't solved any of the problems listed above. They still can't slow down Jokic, their size advantage is negated against the equally-big Nuggets, and their offense-first players are at risk to get exposed by Denver's pristine ball movement. This is a really bad matchup for Los Angeles, which is unfortunate because they have played much better as of late. They went 22-10 to finish their season, getting a spark after re-inserting Hachimura in the starting lineup. Hachimura, along with the emergence of Russell, will give the Lakers a chance at keeping pace with Denver. That might allow them to steal a game or two. But they're going against the best player in the league. The Nuggets should take this easily."

STREAM THE SERIES:Watch Lakers vs. Nuggets NBA Playoffs games with Sling TV

WANNA BET? Here are the latest NBA odds and betting lines

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.