Best bet: Lakers +6, Under 222. Once again, the Lakers feel like they're getting just a tad bit disrespected in the market. Denver is very likely the best team the Lakers have seen this postseason, but the Lakers are also undoubtedly the best team Denver has faced. L.A. has won both Game 1's it has played on the road in the playoffs against teams that had elite home records. Denver fits that bill, but catching six points in a game that I expect to be tight and lower scoring is too good to pass up. -- Tyler Fulghum
Best bet: Anthony Davis over 3.5 steals + blocks. The Lakers have the best defense in the NBA and Davis is the anchor. In this postseason Davis has averaged 3.3 BPG + 1.4 SPG. This is a pretty low threshold and Davis should focus his effort and energy on the defensive end during this series. -- Fulghum
Best bet: Jamal Murray over 35.5 points + assists. While all eyes are on LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Nikola Jokic, it's important not to overlook Murray, especially considering the Lakers' season-long struggles with defending guards. Murray has averaged 25.9 PPG and 6.5 APG this postseason. He is in a great spot to surpassing those averages in Game 1. -- Eric Moody
Best bet: LeBron James over 39.5 points + assists + rebounds. James was the driving force behind the Lakers advancing to the Western Conference finals. While he scored 20 or more points in each game of the series, it's James' rebounding and passing that elevates his impact. James averaged of 8.8 RPG and 5.5 APG in the West semis and he will need to sustain this level of play for Los Angeles to have a shot at reaching the NBA Finals. -- Moody
Best bet: Nikola Jokic over 27.5 points. Jokic topped this number in five of the six games against Phoenix, and if Game 1 had been more competitive, it would have been 6-for-6. That seems like the only risk here, that the game isn't close in the fourth quarter. The Lakers did not face an offensive-minded center in their past series and might have trouble defending Jokic. - Eric Karabell
Best bet: Nuggets -6. The Lakers are a great story but this Nuggets team, with Jokic and depth around him, will be a different challenge for sure. The Nuggets embarrassed the Suns and are well-rested. Expect an easy win here. -- Karabell
Best bet: Anthony Davis over 3.5 steals + blocks. The Lakers have the best defense in the NBA and Davis is the anchor. In this postseason Davis has averaged 3.3 BPG + 1.4 SPG. This is a pretty low threshold and Davis should focus his effort and energy on the defensive end during this series. -- Fulghum
Best bet: Jamal Murray over 35.5 points + assists. While all eyes are on LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Nikola Jokic, it's important not to overlook Murray, especially considering the Lakers' season-long struggles with defending guards. Murray has averaged 25.9 PPG and 6.5 APG this postseason. He is in a great spot to surpassing those averages in Game 1. -- Eric Moody
Best bet: LeBron James over 39.5 points + assists + rebounds. James was the driving force behind the Lakers advancing to the Western Conference finals. While he scored 20 or more points in each game of the series, it's James' rebounding and passing that elevates his impact. James averaged of 8.8 RPG and 5.5 APG in the West semis and he will need to sustain this level of play for Los Angeles to have a shot at reaching the NBA Finals. -- Moody
Best bet: Nikola Jokic over 27.5 points. Jokic topped this number in five of the six games against Phoenix, and if Game 1 had been more competitive, it would have been 6-for-6. That seems like the only risk here, that the game isn't close in the fourth quarter. The Lakers did not face an offensive-minded center in their past series and might have trouble defending Jokic. - Eric Karabell
Best bet: Nuggets -6. The Lakers are a great story but this Nuggets team, with Jokic and depth around him, will be a different challenge for sure. The Nuggets embarrassed the Suns and are well-rested. Expect an easy win here. -- Karabell
