Editor's note: Brian Edwards is on a 10-2 run with his NBA guaranteed picks, so don't miss tonight's pay-if-it-wins-only selection!
After four games, the Lakers and Nuggets have settled nothing. With the series tied at 2-2, the Western Conference finals head back to Tinseltown for tonight’s Game 5 at Staples Center.
Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened Los Angeles (75-23 straight up, 50-48 against the spread) as a six-point favorite with a total of 210 ½. As of early this morning, most books were listing the Lakers as six-point ‘chalk’ with a total of 209 ½. Bettors can back Denver (64-32 SU, 57-38-1 ATS) on the money line for a plus-220 return (paid $220 on $100 wagers).
George Karl’s team evened the series Monday night by capturing a 120-101 win as a 4 ½-point home favorite. Chauncey Billups and J.R. Smith led seven players in double figures with 24 points apiece. Smith drained 4-of-9 shots from 3-point land.
Carmelo Anthony wasn’t on his A-Game with a sprained ankle and a stomach virus slowing him for much of the night. Anthony had 15 points and five assists, but he was just 3-of-16 from the field.
The Nuggets’ big men came up huge. Nene had 14 points, 13 rebounds and six assists, while Kenyon Martin finished with 13 points, 15 boards, two blocked shots and zero turnovers. Chris “The Bird Man” Andersen produced six points, 14 rebounds and a pair of blocks with high-energy play off the bench.
Billups bounced back from a shaky Game 3 performance and didn't commit a turnover in 42 minutes of play. Billups, the only Nugget who owns an NBA championship ring, made all nine of his attempts from the charity stripe.
Kobe Bryant scored a game-high 34 points in the losing effort. Bryant, who was 10-for-26 from the floor, had seven rebounds, five assists and only one turnover. Pau Gasol finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots. Andrew Bynum had 14 points and five boards in 23 minutes of playing time.
I take a lot of shots at Bryant and stand by all of ‘em. However, I will give him credit for showing a ton of restraint in Game 4. Bryant has five technical fouls in these playoffs, so two more would lead to a one-game suspension.
On at least two occasions, Bryant was the victim of dirty plays by Dahntay Jones. Bryant was in mid-air on a drive to the basket when Jones blatantly pushed him from behind. In fairness to Jones, this is the playoffs and the shove (that he pulled up on somewhat) did prevent a three-point play because Kobe missed before going to the free-throw line.
The other play, tripping a cutting Bryant, is all on Jones. Although it wasn’t called a flagrant foul at the time, the NBA upgraded it as such on Tuesday. With three flagrant fouls in the playoffs, another would result in a one-game suspension for Jones.
Bryant had to be tempted to at least have some words with Jones after both plays, but he kept his cool and didn’t engage in anything to put himself at risk of a technical. After the game, he told the media that Jones was playing “good defense.”
L.A. head coach Phil Jackson had a different view, calling Jones’ play “unacceptable” and “unsportsmanlike.” Gasol made similar remarks. Jones said he “didn’t remember.”
The ‘under’ is 50-47-1 overall for the Lakers, 25-25 in their home assignments. The ‘under’ is 7-1 in the Lakers’ last eight games regardless of venue.
The ‘over’ is 49-47 overall for the Nuggets, but the ‘under’ is 26-21 in their road games.
ESPN will provide television coverage at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.
**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**
--Denver killed the Lakers on the boards 58-40 in Game 4.
--According to LVSC, the adjusted series price is L.A. minus-200, while the Nuggets are plus-170 on the comeback (risk $100 to win $170 if Denver advances to the NBA Finals).
--The ‘under’ is 3-1 in this series, 9-2 in the last 11 head-to-head meetings between these Western Conference adversaries.
--When playing on one day of rest, these teams have performed much differently. The Nuggets are 33-18-1 ATS in such spots, while the Lakers are just 24-34 versus the number.
--The Nuggets are 12-1-1 ATS in these playoffs.
--Orlando took a 3-1 series lead in the East finals thanks to last night's thrilling 116-114 overtime win as a one-point home underdog. For Game 5 back in Cleveland, LVSC opened the Cavs as eight-point favorites with a total of 191.
Brian Edwards can be reached at briane@vegasinsider.com.
