The Los Angeles Lakers are well placed to secure a spot in the NBA Finals after opening up a 2-0 series lead over Denver Nuggets.
The Lakers held a 10-point advantage at half time in Game 2 but Denver hit back and took a 103-102 lead in the dying stages before LA managed to come away with a last-gasp 105-103 success.
Anthony Davis led the way in terms of scoring for the Lakers with 31, while LeBron James weighed in with 26 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.
Denver desperately need to win Game 3 on Tuesday night (game starts 2am Wednesday BST) if they are to stand any chance of reaching the Finals Series for the first time in their history.
Jokic Form Key to Nuggets Turnaround
The Nuggets should be encouraged by their improved performance in Game 2 and the display of Nikola Jokic. The Serbian managed 30 points and a joint game-high nine assists on Sunday and when he is on form, Denver are always a threat.
A victory for Denver isn’t out of the question and they do appeal at 21/10 to win in the Money Line, while the 25/27 on a Nuggets victory with a +6.5 handicap in the Point Spread could be a shrewd bet.
The Lakers have won the last four games between the two teams but only once has their margin of victory been greater than four points.
Lakers Looking for Early Finish Boost
LeBron and co are the 5/18 favourites to win the NBA Championship outright, which would be the franchise’s 17th title, and first since 2010, should they ultimately justify those odds.
If they can get through their Western Conference Finals series in four or five games it could give them a huge advantage in their hunt for the top prize.
The winners will take on either Boston Celtics or Miami Heat in the NBA Finals and the Heat just have the edge ahead of Game 4 on Wednesday (game starts 1.30am Thursday BST).
Finely Poised in the East
Miami had opened up a 2-0 lead but Boston fought back in style in Game 3 with a 117-106 victory to fuel the possibility of a classic match-up in the big one.
The Heat are 13/10 in the Money Line to win Game 4 to move within one game of the Conference title, while the Celtics can be backed at 10/11 with a -3 handicap in the Point Spread to level up the series.
The Eastern Conference finals could well go the distance as there is little to separate the two teams. Player-for-player Boston probably have the stronger team but Miami are a slick unit and with Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler in fine form they are a danger to any side.
The Celtics are 11/4 to win the series 4-3 and a Miami win in the full seven games is 19/5.
*All odds correct at time of writing
