2009 NBA Playoffs Picks Denver Nuggets (2-2) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (2-2) Game 5: Last night, the Orlando Magic, smacked the Cleveland Cavaliers in the mouth and embarrassed the heck out of them, taking a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

With Cavaliers point guard, Mo Williams making funny guarantees that his team would win the Eastern Conference Finals and that they’re the best squad in the NBA, it sort of reminded me of what coach George Karl and the Denver Nuggets have been saying though out this series: that they’re the better team in the Western Conference Finals.

But can the Los Angeles Lakers take a page out of the Magic’s book and show the Nuggets whose boss, or is Denver the real deal?

We’re just going to have to wait and see what happens in tonight’s 2009 NBA Playoffs Picks: Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers game 5.

The game’s opening tipoff has been scheduled for 9 PM ET (6 PM PT) and it will be broadcasted in crystal clear HD on ESPN.

2009 NBA Playoffs oddsmakers at SportsBook.com have assembled the best Sports Odds for tonight’s WCF Game 5. Here’s what the experts are saying about tonight’s showdown: the Los Angeles Lakers [-6 or -260 ML] will take a 3-2 lead in this best-of-seven series against the Denver Nuggets [+6 or +220 ML], with the series shifting back to the Mile High City for Game 6.

In order for the Lakers to beat the Nuggets, Pau Gasol not only understands but also embracs the challenge of needing to play the game inside-out. "I just want to go with what's effective and what works out there and what's been working for us and what's a strength of ours, Gasol said after Tuesday's practice. "I think we should explore that a little more.”

The OVER/UNDER for tonight’s 2009 NBA Playoffs Picks: Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game 5 has been calculated and officially set at a combined total of 209 points scored at night’s end.

And guess what, the Spaniard is absolutely correct, as he’s been shooting 62% from the field in this series. In Game 4, Pau went 8 for 11 from the field for 21 points, so why aren’t the Lakers feeding him the ball more? Even a blind man can see, needs more touches!

"I don't think there's many people who would say there's something right about it,” Gasol said. "I wish we would take more advantage of our inside game, because it's pretty effective. It's unfortunate we don't recognize it enough.”

But the Lakers floor leader understands the importance of establishing a post-presence, as they look to make adjustments as a team. "They're double-teaming him on the catch. He's got to go a little quicker when he catches it,” Kobe Bryant said. "That's something I've always told him, `When you got a shot you got to take it.' At this late in the postseason, teams aren't going to let you back out there and spin and do some of the things he likes to do in the post. He's got to go and go quickly.”

Sports-Odds 2009 NBA Playoffs Picks: Expect a heavy dose of Gasol tonight and expect the [Los Angeles Lakers -6] to win Game 5. 

---