Jamal Murray and his Denver Nuggets have their backs against the wall again. They are set as 6-point underdogs for Game 5 on Saturday.
Being down 3-1 in a best-of-seven series would be unnerving for most professional sports teams – but not the Denver Nuggets, who have become experts at it. The Nuggets will look to stage their third straight series rally beginning Saturday night as they resume the Western Conference final against the L.A. Lakers in the Orlando bubble. The Lakers escaped with a 114-108 win in Game 4 to close to within a win of their first NBA Finals berth since 2010.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
After a rather unsatisfying Game 4 push, the Lakers are right back at -6 for Saturday’s fifth game. The Nuggets have been one of the top against the spread (ATS) teams throughout the NBA playoffs, and come into this one at 11-3-1 against the number in their last 15 games overall. And that’s got Sports Interaction bettors leaning heavily toward the underdogs, with a whopping 80 percent of respondents taking the Nuggets and the points entering Saturday.
The total is exactly where it sat for Game 4 at 214.5; the teams have gone 3-1 O/U so far in the series, and are 6-1 O/U in their previous seven meetings overall. Sports interaction bettors are riding this trend into the weekend, with 83 percent taking the O214.5. But the Nuggets are still 8-4 to the Under in their previous 12 games overall despite the Over trend in the conference final, and are 2-3-1 O/U in the six elimination games they’ve played prior to Saturday.
Denver Nuggets
Both teams have been rather unhappy with the game-by-game foul shot disparities – and this time, the Nuggets doth protest, with head coach Mike Malone disappointed that his team was out-shot 35-23 by the Lakers from the stripe Thursday. Malone specifically referenced his star guard, Jamal Murray, getting knocked to the floor multiple times in Game 4 without a foul being called. The Lakers’ LeBron James and Anthony Davis both shot 14 free throws Thursday.
Los Angeles Lakers
If you’re looking for a great early bet to jump on, consider anything involving the Lakers in the opening quarter. They’ve been off to a blistering start in this series, averaging better than 32 first-quarter points per game; that goes in sync with the regular season, where they ranked second in first-quarter scoring league-wide. Taking the Lakers at -189 to be ahead after 12 minutes might not offer a great payout, but it feels like one of the safer plays of the night.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Nuggets vs. Lakers?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 18 Sep 1:17pm | DEN | -6.5 -116 | O +120.5 -154 |
| Closing 26 Sep 8:52pm | DEN | -5.5 -110 | O +215.5 -115 |
Injuries
Jamal Murray (SG)
Jamal Murray (SG)
Torrey Craig (SF)
Jamal Murray (SG)
Michael Porter Jr. (PF)
Jerami Grant (SF)
Paul Millsap (PF)
Troy Daniels (SG)
Torrey Craig (SF)
Vlatko Cancar (SF)
Danny Green (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Alex Caruso (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Alex Caruso (SG)
Alex Caruso (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Rajon Rondo (PG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamal Murray (SG) | Prob Sat | Knee - 26 / 09 / 20 | 0-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Murray is expected to be active for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Lakers despite a right knee contusion. |
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| Jamal Murray (SG) | Ques Tues | Hip - 13 / 09 / 20 | 5-1 | 3-3-1 | + - |
|
Murray has a right hip injury, and his status is in question for Game 7 of the Western Conference second round against the Clippers. |
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| Torrey Craig (SF) | Prob Fri | Knee - 11 / 09 / 20 | 5-2 | 3-4-1 | + - |
|
Craig is managing a sore right knee, but likely to be available for Game 5 of the Western Conference second round against the Clippers. |
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| Jamal Murray (SG) | Prob Thurs | Quadricep - 02 / 09 / 20 | 8-3 | 4-7-2 | + - |
|
Murray is expected to play in Game 1 of the Western Conference second round against the Clippers despite a quad contusion. |
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| Michael Porter Jr. (PF) | Out Fri | Rest - 14 / 08 / 20 | 11-7 | 10-8-2 | + - |
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Porter Jr. is not expected to suit up Friday against the Raptors as he likely will be given the day to rest. |
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| Jerami Grant (SF) | Prob Wed | Knee - 10 / 08 / 20 | 13-7 | 12-8-2 | + - |
|
Grant missed the last game battling a sore right knee, but he is likely to be available for Wednesday's clash with the Clippers. |
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| Paul Millsap (PF) | Out Thurs | Rest - 06 / 08 / 20 | 14-8 | 14-8-2 | + - |
|
Millsap will not suit up Thursday against the Trail Blazers as he likely will be given the day to rest. |
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| Troy Daniels (SG) | Ques Wed | Hip - 06 / 08 / 20 | 14-8 | 14-8-2 | + - |
|
Daniels has been out of the lineup in the previous three games due to tightness in his right hip. It remains to be seen if he will take the court Wednesday versus the Clippers. |
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| Torrey Craig (SF) | Ques Thurs | Mouth - 05 / 08 / 20 | 15-8 | 15-8-2 | + - |
|
Craig left the last game with a lip laceration, and it is up in the air if he will play in Thursday's contest with the Trail Blazers. |
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| Vlatko Cancar (SF) | Out indefinitely | Foot - 31 / 07 / 20 | 15-9 | 16-8-2 | + - |
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Cancar is sidelined while recovering from a broken left foot, and it is uncertain when he will join the team. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Sun | Finger - 11 / 10 / 20 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Green is dealing with soreness in his left ring finger but is anticipated to face the Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Tues | Finger - 05 / 10 / 20 | 0-3 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Green is tending to a volar plate injury in his left ring finger but is projected to suit up against the Heat in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Sun | Hip - 03 / 10 / 20 | 1-4 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Green is bothered by tightness in his hip and a volar plate injury in his left ring finger. He is likely to suit up for Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Heat. |
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| Alex Caruso (SG) | Prob Wed | Wrist - 29 / 09 / 20 | 2-4 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Caruso is expected to play against the Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a sore right wrist. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Wed | Finger - 29 / 09 / 20 | 2-4 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Green is projected to take on the Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a volar plate injury to his left ring finger. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Sat | Finger - 26 / 09 / 20 | 2-4 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Green is managing a hyperextended left ring finger, but it is projected that he will take the court for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Nuggets. |
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| Alex Caruso (SG) | Prob Sat | Wrist - 25 / 09 / 20 | 2-5 | 5-3 | + - |
|
Caruso is battling a sore right wrist, but is likely to be in the lineup for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Nuggets. |
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| Alex Caruso (SG) | Prob Thurs | Wrist - 23 / 09 / 20 | 2-6 | 5-4 | + - |
|
Caruso is expected to play against the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals despite right wrist soreness. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Thurs | Finger - 23 / 09 / 20 | 2-6 | 5-4 | + - |
|
Green is battling a volar plate injury in his left finger but is likely to take on the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals. |
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| Rajon Rondo (PG) | Prob Sun | Back - 19 / 09 / 20 | 4-6 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Rondo has been dealing with back spasms, but he is expected to be available for Game 2 of the Western Conference final against the Nuggets. |
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 18 Sep 1:17pm DEN -6.5 -116 O +120.5 -154 Closing 26 Sep 8:52pm DEN -5.5 -110 O +215.5 -115 -
Injuries
Jamal Murray (SG)
Prob Sat Knee - 26 / 09 / 20Jamal Murray (SG)
Ques Tues Hip - 13 / 09 / 20Torrey Craig (SF)
Prob Fri Knee - 11 / 09 / 20Jamal Murray (SG)
Prob Thurs Quadricep - 02 / 09 / 20Michael Porter Jr. (PF)
Out Fri Rest - 14 / 08 / 20Jerami Grant (SF)
Prob Wed Knee - 10 / 08 / 20Paul Millsap (PF)
Out Thurs Rest - 06 / 08 / 20Troy Daniels (SG)
Ques Wed Hip - 06 / 08 / 20Torrey Craig (SF)
Ques Thurs Mouth - 05 / 08 / 20Vlatko Cancar (SF)
Out indefinitely Foot - 31 / 07 / 20Danny Green (SG)
Prob Sun Finger - 11 / 10 / 20Danny Green (SG)
Prob Tues Finger - 05 / 10 / 20Danny Green (SG)
Prob Sun Hip - 03 / 10 / 20Alex Caruso (SG)
Prob Wed Wrist - 29 / 09 / 20Danny Green (SG)
Prob Wed Finger - 29 / 09 / 20Danny Green (SG)
Prob Sat Finger - 26 / 09 / 20Alex Caruso (SG)
Prob Sat Wrist - 25 / 09 / 20Alex Caruso (SG)
Prob Thurs Wrist - 23 / 09 / 20Danny Green (SG)
Prob Thurs Finger - 23 / 09 / 20Rajon Rondo (PG)
Prob Sun Back - 19 / 09 / 20Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jamal Murray (SG) Prob Sat Knee - 26 / 09 / 20 0-0 1-0 + - Murray is expected to be active for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Lakers despite a right knee contusion.
Jamal Murray (SG) Ques Tues Hip - 13 / 09 / 20 5-1 3-3-1 + - Murray has a right hip injury, and his status is in question for Game 7 of the Western Conference second round against the Clippers.
Torrey Craig (SF) Prob Fri Knee - 11 / 09 / 20 5-2 3-4-1 + - Craig is managing a sore right knee, but likely to be available for Game 5 of the Western Conference second round against the Clippers.
Jamal Murray (SG) Prob Thurs Quadricep - 02 / 09 / 20 8-3 4-7-2 + - Murray is expected to play in Game 1 of the Western Conference second round against the Clippers despite a quad contusion.
Michael Porter Jr. (PF) Out Fri Rest - 14 / 08 / 20 11-7 10-8-2 + - Porter Jr. is not expected to suit up Friday against the Raptors as he likely will be given the day to rest.
Jerami Grant (SF) Prob Wed Knee - 10 / 08 / 20 13-7 12-8-2 + - Grant missed the last game battling a sore right knee, but he is likely to be available for Wednesday's clash with the Clippers.
Paul Millsap (PF) Out Thurs Rest - 06 / 08 / 20 14-8 14-8-2 + - Millsap will not suit up Thursday against the Trail Blazers as he likely will be given the day to rest.
Troy Daniels (SG) Ques Wed Hip - 06 / 08 / 20 14-8 14-8-2 + - Daniels has been out of the lineup in the previous three games due to tightness in his right hip. It remains to be seen if he will take the court Wednesday versus the Clippers.
Torrey Craig (SF) Ques Thurs Mouth - 05 / 08 / 20 15-8 15-8-2 + - Craig left the last game with a lip laceration, and it is up in the air if he will play in Thursday's contest with the Trail Blazers.
Vlatko Cancar (SF) Out indefinitely Foot - 31 / 07 / 20 15-9 16-8-2 + - Cancar is sidelined while recovering from a broken left foot, and it is uncertain when he will join the team.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Danny Green (SG) Prob Sun Finger - 11 / 10 / 20 0-1 1-0 + - Green is dealing with soreness in his left ring finger but is anticipated to face the Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Tues Finger - 05 / 10 / 20 0-3 1-2 + - Green is tending to a volar plate injury in his left ring finger but is projected to suit up against the Heat in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Sun Hip - 03 / 10 / 20 1-4 2-3 + - Green is bothered by tightness in his hip and a volar plate injury in his left ring finger. He is likely to suit up for Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Heat.
Alex Caruso (SG) Prob Wed Wrist - 29 / 09 / 20 2-4 3-3 + - Caruso is expected to play against the Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a sore right wrist.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Wed Finger - 29 / 09 / 20 2-4 3-3 + - Green is projected to take on the Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a volar plate injury to his left ring finger.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Sat Finger - 26 / 09 / 20 2-4 4-3 + - Green is managing a hyperextended left ring finger, but it is projected that he will take the court for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Nuggets.
Alex Caruso (SG) Prob Sat Wrist - 25 / 09 / 20 2-5 5-3 + - Caruso is battling a sore right wrist, but is likely to be in the lineup for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Nuggets.
Alex Caruso (SG) Prob Thurs Wrist - 23 / 09 / 20 2-6 5-4 + - Caruso is expected to play against the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals despite right wrist soreness.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Thurs Finger - 23 / 09 / 20 2-6 5-4 + - Green is battling a volar plate injury in his left finger but is likely to take on the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals.
Rajon Rondo (PG) Prob Sun Back - 19 / 09 / 20 4-6 6-5 + - Rondo has been dealing with back spasms, but he is expected to be available for Game 2 of the Western Conference final against the Nuggets.