The Denver Nuggets are one game away from the first trip NBA Finals in franchise history. After dispatching the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals, the Nuckets now have a 3-0 series lead and a chance Monday to sweep the same team that eliminated them in this round three postseasons ago.
But doing so will not be an easy task. The Lakers have lost just once on their home floor this postseason—to the Nuggets in Game 3—and still have a plus-105 point-differential in their home building. LeBron James and the Lakers won’t go down without a fight. Here’s how you can tune in as the Nuggets try to send them home for the summer.
Lakers at Nuggets – Game 4
- Date: Monday, May 22 | Time: 8:30 pm ET
- Location: Crypto.com Arena — Los Angeles
- TV Frequency: ESPN | Live broadcast: Fubo (try it for free)
- Contradictions: Lakers -3.5; O/U 224.5 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Plots
Lakers: The Lakers rely entirely on four players: James, Anthony Davis, Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves. That group has accounted for just under 82% of all Laker points in the series, and no Laker has contributed reliably on defense other than Jarrett Vanderbilt. If the Lakers are going to make any meaningful comeback attempt, it starts with two role players relieving the pressure on this center.
Nuggets: Jamaal Murray is averaging 35 points per game in this series, and that raises an interesting question: Can he edge out his more popular teammate, Nikola Jokic, for the Western Conference Finals MVP trophy? It’s somewhat ironic that Jokic is a two-time NBA MVP, and Jokic could easily take home the Finals MVP trophy in the next round, but it’s nice to see a different nugget thrive on the biggest stage.
Prediction
The Nuggets would eventually win the series. Teams that lead 3-0 have a combined record of 149-0 in the postseason. But the Lakers won’t make it easy for them. Expect the Lakers to win a tough Game 4 and at least send the series to Denver for one more game. Pick: Lakers -3.5
