The set-up: Obviously you can't count out the Nuggets in any situation, however I'm definitely going to do just that in Game 1. Denver has a reputation now of being quite the survivor after back-to-back series of having to climb out of a 1-3 hole. The Lakers though are rested and they have the big men in their line-up to easily handle Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets. With Jokic neutralized, the savvy veteran guards of the Lakers are going to be able to operate and make it difficult for Jamal Murray to get any open looks. This is an extremely poor matchup for Denver, which has no answer for LeBron James.

The pick: LA is also 7-2 ATS in its last nine after four or more days of rest. I think the back-to-back seven games series comes back to fatigue Denver and I love the Lakers to finally get out to a big start in a playoff series in the bubble with a commanding full four quarter effort. I'm laying the points.

This is a 10* BLOWOUT on the LA Lakers.