NBA Same Game Parlay Picks: 3 Bets for Lakers vs. Nuggets (May 16)

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Lakers vs. Nuggets Odds

Tuesday, May 16

8:30 p.m. ET

ESPN

Lakers Odds
Spread	Total	Moneyline
+6 -106	222.5 -110 / -110	+200

Nuggets Odds
Spread	Total	Moneyline
-6 -114	222.5 -110 / -110	-245

Odds via DraftKings. Get up-to-the-minute NBA odds here.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets will face each other in a 2020 Western Conference Finals rematch. Both teams closed their previous series in six games in blowout fashion. The Nuggets took care of business against the Phoenix Suns on the road, and LeBron and the Lakers also advanced past the reigning champion Warriors to reach the Western Conference Finals.

For today's same-game parlay, I have chosen two players who should thrive in this series and included my pick for who wins Game 1.

NBA Same Game Parlay Odds & Pick

The Parlay: (+165 at DraftKings)

Anthony Davis 20+ Points (-270)
Aaron Gordon 5+ Rebounds (-295)
Denver Nuggets Moneyline (-245)

Anthony Davis 20+ Points (-270)

Davis averages 21.2 points per game during the playoffs, a depressed number compared to his 25.9 points per game in the regular season, but he should pick his scoring back up in a new series against Denver. Blowouts have also played a role in his limited scoring.

Simply put, aside from Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets need more size to help with rim protection on Davis. Among all playoff teams, Denver has allowed opposing players to make the most field goals within eight feet (23.5 field goals per game) at a 61.1% conversation rate (fourth-highest).

Davis has started his last two road Game 1s by setting the tone early. He scored 22 points vs. the Grizzlies and 30 points vs. the Warriors. I am banking on another 20+ points tonight with a solid floor of 38+ minutes on the horizon.

Aaron Gordon 5+ Rebounds (-295)

Aaron Gordon is averaging 6.1 rebounds per game in the playoffs and has safely secured five or more boards in 10 of his last 11 games. When playing at least 32 minutes with Jokic available, he has collected five or more boards in 22 of the last 25 games (88% rate).

As for the matchup, Gordon will be asked to defend LeBron James, but unlike the last series against Kevin Durant, his primary defender will not lead his team in Usage Rate – that goes to Anthony Davis. Gordon should also see increased chances due to Jokic's matchup requiring him to box-out for rebounds against Davis.

Sportsbooks have set Gordon's rebound prop line at 6.5, so taking it at two boards lower feels like a safe leg to add to the puzzle.

Denver Nuggets Moneyline (-245)

The Denver Nuggets are a tough team to beat at home. On the season, they were 34-7  when playing in front of their fans (second-best in the league), and now during the playoffs, they are a perfect 6-0 as well.

On top of that, the Lakers have played with a significant difference in defensive intensity away from Los Angeles, going from a 98.2 Defensive Rating (league's best) at home to a 114.8 Defensive Rating (seventh-best) on road games.

Entering the series with a rest disadvantage, it will be tough to see LeBron and company steal a game in the Mile High. Oddsmakers have priced the Lakers as 6.5-point underdogs, so taking the Nuggets straight up makes sense as a preferred approach.