Nuggets vs. Lakers Game 5 NBA Playoffs: To say the Lakers need a win tonight would be a huge understatement following their 19-point loss at Denver to the Nuggets in Game-4 of the NBA Western Conference semi-finals on Monday. The Lakers need to mend their broken psyche and regain home-court advantage. An LA loss would not guarantee a Denver series win but it would be difficult for LA to go to Denver for Game-6 down one game in the best of seven games series. The pressure is on LA to win tonight’s game at Staples Center.

The Lakers and Nuggets have now each won a game on the other’s home court. In gambling trends, its Denver dominating the NBA Playoffs betting board having covered ATS three of the four games played with LA.

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When the playoffs first round began late in April, many experts at gambling sites were predicting the Nuggets would play the role of spoiler and these forecasts are coming to fruition.

For tonight’s game, oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have installed the Lakers as 6-chalk favorites with a 209.5 total. LA is a -260 favorite on the Sportsbook moneyline while Nuggets backers are getting +220 underdog odds.

The Nuggets have been red hot covering for backers ATS by cashing 13 of the last 16 games with only two losses and one push over that period. Gamblers should take note of this trend.

On the other side, the Lakers have fallen short ATS in nine of their last 15 games. It will be interesting how they show up for tonight’s Game-5. It’s my prediction the Nuggets cover and might win SU.

In public betting, the Nuggets are the favorite pick ATS by 56 percent of gamblers while LA is the choice by 44 percent in moneyline betting. In total’s betting, 55 percent of the public is choosing the OVER.

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