If Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals was any indication on what's going to take place this series we're in for an all-time great series. The Denver Nuggets are up 1-0 in this series, but not after almost blowing a 21-point lead to Anthony Davis and the Lakers as he ended up scoring 40 points. Denver opened Game 2 as the favorite once again because they've been so dominant at home this entire season. This should be a fantastic series and we have NBA DFS breakdown to go with it. 

If you have ANY questions about tonight's game from a DFS or betting perspective, make sure to hop in the discord below and ask away!

Los Angeles Lakers @ Denver Nuggets

Total: 226.5

Spread: DEN -5.5
 

Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

Denver Nuggets Injuries

 

NBA DFS MVP/CPT Top Plays

Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

I mean, what needs to be said here? Oh, I know! Rui Hachimura’s defense does not worry me all too much. That is all. 

Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

Davis was able to get to all of his spots offensively in Game 1 as he exploded for 40 actual and 69 DKP while still dominating on the defensive end of the floor. He’s $1.5K cheaper than Jokic in the captain’s chair if that money helps you elsewhere.

Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets

The only thing Murray and Denver need to do is stop having him switch onto LeBron James in pick-and-roll situations and make sure he stays out of foul trouble because the two-man game of Murray/Jokic is unstoppable right now. He’s put up 45+ DKP in four of his last five games and six times over his last eight.

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

Even in a game in which Nikola Jokic and Anthony Davis got all the praise in, LeBron James finished one rebound shy of a triple-double and with the Lakers electing to go with a lot of Rui Hachimura, James became the team’s defacto point-guard. Would it shock you if he put up another performance like he had in Game 1?
 

Contrarian CPT/MVP options

Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles Lakers

Want a way to get multiple of the top guys in your lineup? If the Lakers elect to use Hachimura for nearly 30 minutes like they did in Game 1, this could be a rout to take. He was used to guard Nikola Jokic so Anthony Davis could roam around and patrol the paint. Hachimura turned in 17 actual points, but didn’t grab any rebounds. If he continues his offensive out put in Game 2 and pairs it with some rebounds, he could be a sneaky way to get the likes of Jokic/Davis/James or Jokic/Davis/Murray into your line comfortably.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Denver Nuggets

This could be very, very bad because we’ve seen that there are times that the offense just goes away from KCP, but that has not been the case in each of the last two games. He’s scored 21 points in each and has been actively looking for his shot. KCP is a three-and-D guy that’s been spacing the floor well and playing well defensively. Another way to get multiple top spend ups into your lineup.
 

NBA DFS UTIL Top Plays

Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers

Reaves was great in Game 1 and was one of the primary reasons the Lakers battled back from a 21-point deficit and almost came back. He hit open three after open three and finished with 23 points and eight rebounds. There’s a case to be made for Reaves to be in the captain’s chair as well.

Michael Porter Jr., Denver Nuggets

Whatever the Nuggets need is what MPJ is giving them right now. He’s put up 36+ DKP in four of his last five games and has three double-doubles over that span. He’s averaged 32 DKP/game in three meetings against the Lakers this year.

Bruce Brown, Denver Nuggets

Brown’s going to cap out in the 20’s in minutes but he’s a very productive player when he’s out there. He’ll be one of two Nuggets bench members that actually play a role for this team.

 

NBA DFS GPP Darts

Dennis Schroder, Los Angeles Lakers

I’m interested to see if the Lakers move to Rui Hachimura over Schroder in the starting lineup, but both guys played more than D’Angelo Russell, so it seems as if both have surpassed Russell in the rotation if Russell doesn’t play lights out offensively. Look for Schroder to be a little more aggressive offensively considering he took just three shots in Game 1.

Lonnie Walker IV, Los Angeles Lakers

He’ll play about 20 minutes. If his shots falling he could play more. If it’s not, he won’t play much.

Jarred Vanderbilt, Los Angeles Lakers

They used him to guard Stephen Curry at times in their last series, could we see the same here against Jamal Murray? If you’re playing multiple lineups that could a punt option to look at.