No team has ever overcome a 0-3 series deficit during the NBA playoffs across 154 total attempts. The Los Angeles Lakers took Game 4 at Crypto.com Arena against the reigning champion Denver Nuggets, and will now continue their quest to make history as they travel to Ball Arena for Game 5 on Monday night.
Let's put together a same-game parlay and win some money.
Series Preview: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets Betting Odds
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets Game 5
Matchup Page: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets, 10 p.m. ET
| Bet | Odds |
|---|---|
| Denver Nuggets ML | -295 |
| LeBron James OVER 27.5 Points | +100 |
| Nikola Jokic OVER 13.5 Rebounds | -104 |
| Overall | +402 |
Same-Game Parlay Pick No. 1: Denver Nuggets ML
The status of Jamal Murray remains up in the air as of early Monday morning as he was listed as questionable with a left calf strain. Even should he take the floor, Murray is averaging five more shots per game than anyone else on the Nuggets but only shooting 38 percent from the field. The Lakers will certainly look to exploit that no matter what, whether it's make Murray beat them on offense or attack him on defense and test that calf of his.
Denver had strung together 11 victories in a row (regular season and postseason) over Los Angeles dating back to December 2022 prior to losing on Saturday. This matchup has been completely one-sided for so long that it shocked us all into coherence seeing the Lakers prevail.
The Nuggets are a stellar 13-2 SU at home in the playoffs since 2022, with their last loss being in the 2023 Finals against the Miami Heat in Game 2 before stringing together three-straight wins to become champions. Murray or no Murray, Denver is still in great shape to close out this series in the Mile High City as the Minnesota Timberwolves await in the second round.
Same-Game Parlay Pick No. 2: LeBron James OVER 27.5 Points
Whether it's to close out a series entirely, or force it to continue, LeBron James has made a living off of stepping up when the situation calls for it. The now 39-year-old superstar has averaged 33.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists across 27 elimination games throughout his storied career.
With the Lakers on the verge of getting bounced in Game 4, James had his highest scoring output of the series with 30 points on 14-of-23 shooting in just under 39 minutes of action. He hasn't scored fewer than 26 points thus far, but has finished with exactly 26 points twice, which isn't good enough to topple Monday's prop total of 27.5 to complete this leg.
It's either win or go home for the Lakers, and if the purple and gold are going down, they'll surely go down swinging with James mustering up whatever's in that tank of his to carry his team.
Same-Game Parlay Pick No. 3: Nikola Jokic OVER 13.5 Rebounds
The joke has been made that Nikola Jokic can't jump onto a curb, but has somehow evolved into the greatest player in the Association. The odds-on favorite to win Most Valuable Player for a third time in four years doesn't need a 40-inch vertical to crash the glass, because the paint area is his domain.
Jokic is averaging 15.3 rebounds through four games against the Lakers, and only fell below the 13.5-board mark in Game 1 when he secured 12 in 39 minutes.
With Anthony Davis the only real threat to impede his progress around the basket, Jokic should hit the OVER here on rebounds in this potential closeout game in front of a raucous Nuggets crowd.
