Denver at Los Angeles

The Denver defense was non-existent in Games 1 and 2, but they have stepped it up in games 3 and 4, holding the Lakers to an average of 88 points per game. The first two games saw them allow LA to go off early and often, as the Lake Show rang-up an average of 52.5 ppg in the first half. It is critical that Denver maintain that defensive intensity in Game 5, or it is over and out. Games 3 and 4 they did not allow LA to have their way in the first half, limited them to 42 pph in the opening half, and more of the same is expected tonight with the Nuggets facing elimination. This series has been a lot lower scoring than the oddsmakers have projected, with the combined UNDER margin in the four games at 53.5 points. I expect more of the same in Game 5, with Denver continuing their defensive mindset early in the game. Play the first half UNDER.