Los Angeles Lakers (43-39, seventh in the Western Conference) vs. Denver Nuggets (53-29, first in the Western Conference)
Denver; Tuesday, 8:30 p.m. EDT
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE: Nuggets -5.5; over/under is 222.5
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: Nuggets host first series matchup
BOTTOM LINE: The Denver Nuggets host the Los Angeles Lakers to begin the Western Conference finals. Denver and Los Angeles tied the regular season series 2-2. The Nuggets won the last regular season matchup 122-109 on Jan. 10. Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 34 points, and Russell Westbrook led the Lakers with 25 points.
The Nuggets are 34-18 against Western Conference opponents. Denver ranks fourth in the Western Conference with 55.0 points per game in the paint led by Nikola Jokic averaging 18.5.
The Lakers are 27-25 in conference matchups. Los Angeles is 19-19 in games decided by 10 or more points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jokic is shooting 63.2% and averaging 24.5 points for the Nuggets. Murray is averaging 2.8 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Denver.
Anthony Davis is averaging 25.9 points, 12.5 rebounds and two blocks for the Lakers. LeBron James is averaging 23.2 points, 9.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists over the past 10 games for Los Angeles.
LAST 10 GAMES: Nuggets: 7-3, averaging 116.5 points, 43.4 rebounds, 25.3 assists, 7.7 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 49.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.3 points per game.
Lakers: 7-3, averaging 112.8 points, 46.9 rebounds, 25.0 assists, 7.3 steals and 6.7 blocks per game while shooting 46.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.2 points.
INJURIES: Nuggets: None listed.
Lakers: Mo Bamba: day to day (ankle).
Kansas City Chiefs place kicker Harrison Butker (7) kicks the game-winning field goal as punter Tommy Townsend (5) holds during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
With the Super Bowl days away, Cheddar News is on the scene to help you plan your spread for the big game.
Former NFL players are suing the league over claims of repeated violations in its disability program.
Chef Bret Lunsford of Blue Smoke, a high-end BBQ joint in Manhattan, has some tips for how to mix up your Big Game party planning.
Having spent the past several months meeting President Joe Biden, raising millions of dollars for his charitable foundation and promoting the benefits of CPR training, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin can focus now on the next big objective in his life: returning to football.
Benoit Garbe, chief marketing officer at Anheuser-Busch, joined Cheddar News to discuss Super Bowl ads and what lies ahead after the company ended an exclusive deal with the big game last year.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, left, hands the ball to Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James after passing Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Millions of Americans will bet over $16 billion in this year's Super Bowl, according to projections.
NBA fans are on record watch this week as Lakers forward LeBron James is set to break the all-time scoring record.
This year, the Crypto Bowl is out as beer and booze take over the ad breaks during Super Bowl LVII.
