Will Both Conferences Sweep Their Way Into Finals?

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Developing Stories 📰

Game 4: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets defeated the Lakers 119-108 in Game 3 and are now one win away from the NBA Finals. Meanwhile, the Lakers find themselves in a significant hole as they fell apart in Game 3. The Nuggets jumped out to a strong advantage, leading the Lakers 24-10 at one point in the first quarter. Jamal Murray went foir for 17 points in the first quarter to give the Nuggets a 32-20 lead after one quarter. The Nuggets maintained the lead in the second quarter and continued to play well. However, the Lakers fought back to make it a competitive game, with the Nuggets leading 58-55 at halftime.

Murray was efficient in hitting his shots from all over the court. Furthermore, he helped the Nuggets maintain a 50-percent shooting rate while also helping them shoot 41.6 percent from beyond the arc. Jokic continued to be explosive and set up the Nuggets with multiple second-chance opportunities. Caldwell-Pope was great all over the court and hit his shots from long range.

The Nuggets also delivered consistently and maintained a lead throughout. Likewise, their ability to force turnovers was excellent. The Nuggets had seven steals and were aggressive in getting additional chances. Ultimately, their play helped them control the game and force the Lakers to play from behind throughout. There was a stretch in the fourth where the Nuggets fell behind by one point. Regardless, they persevered and went on a 12-0 run to build a lead.

The Lakers find themselves in an 0-3 hole and looking for answers. It’s been various factors that have led them to this point. The Lakers held a lead in all three games. However, something always went wrong.

The Lakers struggled to defend throughout the game. The Nuggets kept hitting their shots even when the Lakers closed out. The Nuggets were also efficient with the rock, making passes all over the court and forcing the Lakers to pivot. It enabled them to make good plays in transition while the Lakers blundered all over the court.

The Lakers got sloppy with the basketball. There were situations where the Lakers just simply dropped passes. The Lakers also could block shots or force turnovers. This was the basis of why they have succeeded in these playoffs. But it has not manifested against the Nuggets yet. They took bad shots. The 3-point shooting was atrocious, and the Lakers must improve in that aspect.

The Lakers will cover the spread if they can win the battle of the boards and prevent second-chance opportunities. Then, they need to defend better and not allow the Nuggets to get open shots. The Lakers must play better with the basketball and avoid needless turnovers. The Lakers are much better than they have performed in this series. And we expect them to come out angry and find a way to win a game they must win.

Headlines 🚨

On This Day in Sports History: 1985 Pete Rose 2,108^th run passes Hank Aaron as NL run scoring leader.

Carmelo Anthony has retired from the NBA, ending his 19-year career as the league's ninth all-time leading scorer.

Brooks Koepka takes advantage of a Viktor Hovland mistake and takes home his third PGA Championship title.

The Miami Heat are one win away from winning the Eastern Conference Finals.

The White Sox have promoted Clint Frazier from Triple-A Charlotte and placed right-hander Mike Clevinger on the 15-day injured list with right wrist inflammation.

The tampering inquiry into the Washington Commanders attempts to seek information on the availability of former Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has been resolved to the Colts' satisfaction.

Former Texans’ defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is open to returning to where his career starts.

In their second move to secure quarterback depth this week, the Steelers officially announced a new three-year contract for backup Mitch Trubisky.

Five-star quarterback Michael Van Buren, a top-20 prospect in 2024, committed to Oregon on Saturday.

Trends 📈📉 via

🏀 Nuggets and Lakers

• Denver is 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games against LA Lakers.

• Denver is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games against LA Lakers.

• The total has gone OVER in 6 of Denver's last 8 games on the road

• La Lakers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games.

• The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Lakers’ last 5 games.

• The total has gone OVER in 13 of LA Lakers’ last 20 games against Denver.

🏀 Celtics at Heat

• Boston is 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games against Miami.

• The total has gone OVER in 11 of Boston's last 14 games.

• Miami is 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games.

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Miami's last 6 games.

• Miami is 6-1 SU in their last 7 games.

🏒 Hurricanes at Panthers

• Carolina is 2-7 SU in their last 9 games against Florida.

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Carolina's last 6 games on the road.

• The total has gone OVER in 7 of Carolina's last 10 games when playing on the road against Florida.

• Florida is 9-1 SU in their last 10 games.

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Florida's last 6 games against Carolina.

• Florida is 2-5 SU in their last 7 games at home.

• The total has gone OVER in 7 of Florida's last 10 games when playing at home against Carolina. 

⚾️ White Sox at Guardians

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 6 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox

⚾️ Rangers at Pirates

• The total has gone OVER in 6 of Texas's last 7 games

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games when playing at home against Texas

⚾️ Cardinals at Reds

• St. Louis is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road

• The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cincinnati's last 7 games when playing St. Louis

• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cincinnati's last 5 games at home

⚾️ Diamondbacks at Phillies

• The total has gone OVER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 7 games when playing Arizona

⚾️ Blue Jays at Rays

• The total has gone OVER in 8 of Tampa Bay's last 10 games

⚾️ Dodgers at Braves

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Dodgers's last 5 games when playing Atlanta

• The total has gone UNDER in 6 of LA Dodgers's last 7 games when playing on the road against Atlanta

⚾️ Astros at Brewers

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 5 games on the road

• Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

• Milwaukee is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Houston

• Milwaukee is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Houston

⚾️ Giants at Twins

• The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Francisco's last 5 games when playing on the road against Minnesota 

⚾️ Marlins at Rockies

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Miami's last 6 games when playing on the road against Colorado

⚾️ Red Sox at Angels

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games on the road

• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Angels's last 5 games at home

⚾️ Athletics at Mariners

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oakland's last 6 games when playing on the road against Seattle

Public Money 🤑 via VSiN at 9AMCT

🏀 NBA

60% of bets and 78% of money is on DEN +3

🏒 NHL

44% of bets and 73% of money is on CAR -105

⚾️ MLB

63% of bets and 82% of money is on PHI -1.5 (-115)

35% of bets and 59% of money is on OVER 10 STL at CIN

58% of bets and 74% of money is on ATL -1.5 (+130)

49% of bets and 77% of money is on DET -1.5 (+160)

58% of bets and 76% of money is on MIN -1.5 (+130)

50% of bets and 87% of money is on UNDER 7.5 HOU at MIL

Future Odds 🔮 via Bovada Sportsbook

Injury Report 🏥 via ESPN

BOS (PF) Danilo Gallinari | Doubtful - Knee

LAL (SF) LeBron James | Probable - Foot

LAL (PF) Anthony Davis | Probable - Foot

MIA (PF) Kevin Love | Questionable - Ankle

Picks 🔒

Rangers -132 | The Rangers have had consistency. The Rangers have found ways to either hit home runs or manufacture runs when the power is not there. They have gotten consistent good pitching, and Dane Dunning is no exception. The Rangers have better bats, better starting pitching and a better bullpen for this one.