Lakers on the Brink at Celtics Fall Behind

It is true that the Los Angeles Lakers have had an inspiring playoff run.  The Lakers spent most of the season on the outside, looking in for the NBA betting postseason.  But Los Angeles rallied to gain the play-in round.  And from there, the Lakers steamrolled to the Western Conference Finals.  However, the Denver Nuggets won the series’ first three games to be on the brink of a clinch.  Meanwhile, in the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics lost the first three games of their series to the Miami Heat.  Yet worse, those losses were at home.

2023 NBA Playoffs Conference Finals

Lakers Face Elimination Against Nuggets  

Late on, Los Angeles has covered five out of their last seven games.  Also, the Lakers have gone over the best sportsbook online total in four of its previous five matchups.  First among Laker scorers is LeBron James, with 23.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game.  Anthony Davis averages 22.7 points and 14.1 rebounds per contest.

Los Angeles has NBA ranks of 6^th for scoring offense, 10^th for field goal percentage, 25^th for 3-point field goal percentage, 20^th for free throw percentage, and 6^th for offensive rebounding.  In comparison on defense, the Lakers rank 20^th for scoring defense, 10^th for field goal percentage permitted, 2^nd for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 25^th for defensive rebounding.

In sum, the Los Angeles Lakers finished 43-39 straight up, 40-41-1 against the spread, and 43-38-1 over/under the total.

Late on, Denver has covered three out of their last five games.  So too, have the Nuggets gone under the total in three of its previous five matchups?  First among Denver scorers is Nikola Jokic, with 29.9 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 10.1 assists per game.  Also, Jamal Murray adds 27.9 points and 5.6 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per contest.

Denver has NBA rankings of 12^th for scoring offense, 1^st for field goal percentage, 4^th for 3-point field goal percentage, 26^th for free throw percentage, and 19^th for offensive rebounding.  In comparison on defense, the Nuggets rank 8^th for scoring defense, 20^th for field goal percentage permitted, 3^rd for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 1^st for defensive rebounding.

Overall, the Nuggets were 53-29 straight up, 45-37 against the spread, and 37-44-1 over/under the total.  

Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Series Schedule  

Game 1: Nuggets 132, Lakers 126
Game 2: Nuggets 108, Lakers 103
Game 3: Nuggets 119, Lakers 108
Game 4: Nuggets at Lakers | Monday
Game 5*: Lakers at Nuggets | Wednesday
Game 6*: Nuggets at Lakers | Friday
Game 7*: Lakers at Nuggets | Sun., May 28

* if necessary | All games 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Miami Puts the Heat on Boston

Late on, Miami has covered eight out of their last ten games.  At the same time, the Heat has gone over the total in four of its previous five matchups.  First among Miami scorers is Jimmy Butler, with 31.1 points, 5.8 assists, and 6.6 rebounds per game.  Bam Adebayo adds 18.5 points and 9.7 rebounds per game.

Miami has NBA rankings of 30^th for scoring offense, 28^th for field goal percentage, 27^th for 3-point field goal percentage, 2^nd for free throw percentage, and 27^th for offensive rebounding.  In comparison, on defense, the Heat rank 2^nd for scoring defense, 22^nd for field goal percentage permitted, 22^nd for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 6^th for defensive rebounding.

Overall, the Miami Heat finished 44-38 straight up, 31-49-2 against the spread, and 41-41 over/under the betting on NBA total.   

Late on, Boston has covered two out of their last six games.  Boston has reviewed the pro basketball betting total in five of their previous seven games.  First among Boston scorers is Jayson Tatum, with 28.7 points, 5.1 assists, and 10.5 rebounds per contest per game.  Also, Jaylen Brown brings 23.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. 

Boston has NBA rankings of 4^th for scoring offense, 14^th for field goal percentage, 6^th for 3-point field goal percentage, 4^th for free throw percentage, and 7^th for offensive rebounding.  In comparison on defense, the Celtics are 5^th for scoring defense, 5^th for field goal percentage permitted, 4^th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 18^th for defensive rebounding.

In sum, the Boston Celtics finished 57-25 straight up, 45-36-1 against the spread, and 43-38 over/under the NBA gambling total.

Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat Series Schedule

Game 1: Heat 123, Celtics 116
Game 2: Heat 111, Celtics 105
Game 3: Heat 128, Celtics 102
Game 4: Celtics at Heat | Tuesday
Game 5*: Heat at Celtics | Thursday
Game 6*: Celtics at Heat | Saturday
Game 7*: Heat at Celtics | Mon., May 29

* if necessary | All games 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT)