The Denver Nuggets will enter the 2024 NBA postseason as one of many two favorites to hoist the Larry OโBrien trophy in mid-June, as theyโve been one of the crucial constant groups within the league this yr. However itโs unclear but precisely who theyโll tackle within the first spherical, as they await to see who wins the matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans developing on Tuesday night.
Nuggets Await Winner Of Lakers/Pelicans
FINAL 2023-24 NBA STANDINGS:
Western Convention
1. Thunder
2. Nuggets
3. Timberwolves
4. Clippers
5. Mavericks
6. Suns
7. Pelicans
8. Lakers
9. Kings
10. Warriors
11. Rockets
12. Jazz
13. Grizzlies
14. Spurs
15. Path BlazersJap Convention
1. Celtics
2. Knicks
3. Bucksโฆโ NBA (@NBA) April 14, 2024
They havenโt run away with their convention just like the Boston Celtics have. Since November nineteenth, Nikola Jokiฤ and firm have spent simply 11 days alone in first place, and can end the season because the #2 workforce within the West regardless of ending with an similar report because the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
However regardless of their lack of standard season dominance, Denver is barely barely behind Boston in relation to their odds of successful the NBA Finals. DraftKings has the Celtics listed at +160 to take residence the {hardware} coming into the postseason, whereas the Nuggets are again at +290. There isnโt anybody else remotely near the top-two, because the Clippers are subsequent on the listing at +1100, adopted by the Bucks at +1300.
Lakers May Be Underdogs For Tuesdayโs Sport
The NBA has introduced the 2024 Play-In Event schedule:
Tuesday:
(8) Lakers @ (7) Pelicans
(10) Warriors @ (9) KingsWednesday:
(8) Warmth @ (7) Sixers
(10) Hawks @ (9) Bulls pic.twitter.com/6dc2HeETGbโ ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 14, 2024
The Lakers may enter their 7 vs 8 matchup with the Pelicans as slight underdogs. LeBron James had a monster efficiency in LAโs decisive win over New Orleans on Sunday afternoon that locked them into the eighth spot, however star middle Anthony Davis left the motion with an obvious again damage late within the recreation. Itโs unclear what the prognosis might be, however it will likely be a brief, practically 48-hour window that he has to heal earlier than Tuesdayโs motion.
Ought to the Lakers take down the Pelicans once more, theyโll lock themselves into the seventh seed and guarantee themselves a date with the Nuggets. It will be a rematch of final yrโs Western Convention Finals, which resulted in a sweep by Denver, however didnโt come with out phrases and drama between James and Nuggetsโ head coach Michael Malone.
Because it stands within the early hours of the betting line being out there, the Lakers are 1-point underdogs for Tuesdayโs recreation.