Nuggets vs Lakers Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for NBA Playoffs Game 4 (Can LA Avoid a Devastating Series Sweep?)

The 2022-23 NBA Playoffs continue on Monday, May 22 with Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers.

Nuggets vs Lakers Game 4 Info

• Series: DEN leads 3-0
• Date: Monday, May 22, 2023
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
• Venue: crypto.com Arena -- Los Angeles, California
• Coverage: ESPN

The Lakers' backs are against the wall on Monday after they lost their first home game in the playoffs to fall into an 0-3 hole against the Nuggets. Jamal Murray balled out once again in Game 3 as he tallied a game-high 37 points in the 119-108 victory. Michael Porter Jr. chipped in with a double-double (14 points & 10 rebounds).

Nuggets vs Lakers Odds & Spread

• All NBA betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
• Moneyline: DEN: (+136) | LAL: (-162)
• Spread: DEN: +3.5 (-108) | LAL: -3.5 (-112)
• Total: 223.5 -- Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)

The Lakers enter this contest as small home favorites on the moneyline and spread per FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 8:30 p.m. ET clash also features an over/under of 223.5 points with both sides being available at -110 odds.

Nuggets vs Lakers Betting Trends

• Denver is 2-8 straight up in its last 10 away games against the Lakers.
• The Lakers are 9-1 straight up in their last 10 home games overall.
• Denver is 6-2 against the spread (ATS) in its last eight games as an underdog.
• The Lakers are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games.
• The total has hit the over in six of Denver's last eight away games.
• The total has hit the over in 13 of the Lakers' last 20 games against Denver.

Nuggets vs Lakers Prediction & Pick

The Lakers were in the mix for the majority of Game 3, but were outscored by 9 points in the fourth quarter as the Nuggets continued to hit clutch shots. That's been the case throughout this series as Denver has now shot 49.6% from the floor as well as 41.4% from three-point range in three contests.

LA is going to do everything it can to get this series back to Denver in Game 5 and I believe it will be successful in that quest. After all, LeBron James has never been swept in a playoff series outside of the NBA Finals. Falling short in front of a sold-out home crowd in crypto.com Arena would be brutal.

The Nuggets have still lost eight of their last 10 away games against the Lakers, while LA has won nine of its last 10 home games overall. Keep in mind Denver has also never pulled off a sweep in the NBA postseason. Look for James & Anthony Davis makes sure that fact stays true this time around.

Final Score Prediction: Nuggets: 110 | Lakers: 117

Nuggets vs Lakers Best Bet

I like the Lakers' chances of keeping their season alive on Monday night, but it's hard to ignore the recent run Jamal Murray has been on. The former Kentucky standout has been a star during this series as he is averaging a dependable 35.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.3 rebounds in three games.

Murray has cashed his points + rebounds + assists prop bet in all three games and is seeing insane volume so far (24.3 shots per game). The Lakers seem determined not to let Nikola Jokic pick them apart down low, which is leaving Murray to take advantage against defenders along the perimeter.

Bet: Jamal Murray Over 37.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists

Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.