The NBA Playoffs continue on Tuesday night with Game 2 between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers. The game is scheduled for a 10:30 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on TNT. Currently the odds for this game have the Lakers favored by 5 points with the total sitting at 200.5 points.
Free Analysis: The Lakers won the opening game of this series by 15 despite there being a relatively close rebounding battle between the two clubs. LA played some impressive defense in that game, blocking a total of 15 Nugget shots. Andrew Bynum had a massive night with a triple-double, collecting 10 points, 13 rebounds and 10 of the Lakers blocks. In order to win a game in the series or at least stay in the games the rest of the way, the Nuggets will probably have to play tougher in the half court and try to run on the Lakers. Everyone knows that LA is a big team, so making them get up and down the floor could be huge for Denver. Both Bynum and Pau Gasol are dictating the style of play and have been accused of playing illegal defense by Denver. Be sure to check that out in tonight's game, because it probably will be called by the officials. Kobe Bryant had 31 points in the opener, where the Lakers seemed to be OK without forward Metta World Peace. However, they now seem to have some more off the court problems as another big man Jordan Hill seems to be in the middle of an assault issue. Hill had 10 points and 10 rebounds in Game 1, obviously making a pretty big contribution which could be an issue for the Lakers. Denver is going to have to shoot better. In the opener they shot less than 36 percent from the floor and obviously missed some layups and shots around the paint because of the Lakers' defense. Ty Lawson, the team's leading scorer, didn't make a shot until the game was in the fourth quarter. That will clearly have to change in tonight's contest if the Nuggets are going to hang around in the game. Danilo Gallinari led the Nuggets with 19 points and wants his team to play more in transition. If the Nuggets are able to get out and run against LA, it could be a close game, which might be indication based on the point spread.
Free Pick: Hard to bet against the Lakers at home in the playoffs, so there is the better option to take the over here. The Nuggets shot terribly in the first game and the total still got to 191 points. I imagine the refs will be looking more closely at the Lakers playing "illegal defense" in this game as well, providing Denver to get to the free-throw line more as well. I think with the combination of that and the Nuggets shooting a bit better gives us the nine extra points we are looking for in this game. Take the over here.
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Free Picks: Denver Nuggets at LA Lakers — Best Bet from Bryan
What NBA bettors need to know about Nuggets at Lakers - from Pregame.com - Including a free best bet from Bryan Leonard with host Marco D'Angelo.