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Nuggets set as massive favorites in playoff rematch vs. Lakers

Oddsmakers expect the reigning champions to cruise past Los Angeles. 

By Shelby Dermer

Mar 2, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) is greeted by Denver's Nikola Jokic before a game.
Mar 2, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) is greeted by Denver's Nikola Jokic before a game. / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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Just 11 months ago, the Denver Nuggets dominated the Los Angeles Lakers in a four-game sweep in the Western Conference Finals before capturing the first NBA title in franchise history. 

Now, the Nuggets are set to open their title defense against the No. 7 Lakers in a first-round playoff series that begins on Saturday. This is after Los Angeles defeated the New Orleans Pelicans in the play-in tournament on the road Tuesday night. 

Dating back to January of last season, the Nuggets have beaten the Lakers in eight consecutive games, so it’s no surprise that Denver is a heavy favorite to get past the LeBron-led Lakers in the first round.

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Nuggets set as massive favorites in playoff rematch vs. Lakers

According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Denver is a -335 favorite ($100 bet wins $29.85) in its first-round series against the Lakers. Those odds carry an implied probability of 77.01% that Denver will advance to the second round of the Western Conference playoffs. 

Denver swept three matchup with Los Angeles during the regular season with only one game (a 114-106 win on Feb. 8) decided by single digits. 

Per FanDuel, the Nuggets have opened as a 7-point favorites and -260 on the money line in Game 1 of the series on Saturday afternoon at Ball Arena. 

Denver the favorite to reach NBA Finals

Despite losing the race for the No. 1 seed in the west, Denver is still the overwhelming odds-on favorite to repeat as conference champions at +135. The second-favorite is the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder at a distant +600. 

Denver is the second favorite to win the NBA Finals at +300 (25% implied probability). Only the Boston Celtics, who had the best record in the NBA during the regular season, have shorter odds at +165. 

Odds update periodically and are subject to change.

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