Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Free Pick: Denver Nuggets -5.5 (-110) – Fri May 29 ’09 9:05p
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The Nuggets couldn’t quite come through in the clutch in Game 5 and took another bad loss in this series. Denver has shown that they could be the better team here, but have continuously turned the ball over in late game situations. Nuggets G Chauncey Billups had his worst outing of this series contributing just 12 points and five assists in 39 minutes. Before Game 5, Billups had been scoring 21.7 PPG in this series and needs to get at least that number for Denver to have a chance tonight. The Nuggets are 8-1 ATS in their L/9 games when playing as the ‘favorite’. Denver is an impressive 13-2 ATS in the 2009 NBA Playoffs and 21-6 ATS in their L/27 games overall.

The Lakers managed to dominate the fourth quarter 27-18 in Game 5 and earn their third win of this series to put them one game from the NBA Finals. In their three wins the Lakers have won the fourth by a combined score of 90-63, erasing late game deficits in each game. LA G Kobe Bryant has shown his best stuff in this series averaging 33.8 PPG and making big shots in crunch time to lead his team to victories. While Bryant scored just 22 points in Game 5 he made up for it by dishing out a personal series high eight assists. The Lakers are 2-3 ATS in this series and 8-9 ATS in the 2009 NBA Playoffs.

This is the last chance for Billups, Carmelo Anthony, and the Nuggets; look for them to dig down deep and pull out another ATS victory in this contest. Melo’ had 31 points in the loss on Wednesday and will no doubt put up another big number to help his team win tonight. The Nuggets are 7-1 ATS on their home floor in the NBA Playoffs and will force a classic Game 7 with the Lakers.