The Denver Nuggets host the Los Angeles Lakers for Game 2 of the 2023 NBA Western Conference finals at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday. The Nuggets lead the series by a 1-0 margin. Denver is favored by 5.5 points at Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under is set at 226 (see up-to-date odds for every game this week on our NBA odds page). 

Before making any Lakers vs. Nuggets picks, you NEED to check out the NBA predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four-plus seasons. The model entered the conference finals of the 2023 NBA playoffs a stunning 72-38 on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,900. Anyone following it has seen HUGE returns!

The model knows the Lakers found something on offense in Game 1. Los Angeles scored almost 1.3 points per possession in the game, posting a 66.0% true shooting mark in the process. The Lakers were even better in the second half, generating 1.565 points per trip, and Los Angeles is averaging 25.1 assists and 12.4 turnovers per game in the playoffs. The Lakers also had the best free throw rate in the league during the regular season.

The model also knows the Nuggets were unstoppable in Game 1. Denver scored almost 1.35 points per possession in the game, dominating the offensive glass in securing more than 36% of missed shots. The Nuggets have the best offensive rating (120.1) in the postseason, leading the league in points in the paint (53.3 per game) and assist-to-turnover ratio.

Now, it has set its sights on Lakers vs. Nuggets. We can tell you the model is leaning Over the total, and it also says one side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations! You ABSOLUTELY need to see it before locking in any NBA picks.

Who wins Lakers vs. Nuggets? And which side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations? ... Join SportsLine right now to find out which side of the Lakers vs. Nuggets spread you should be all over Thursday, all from the model that's 72-38 on top-rated NBA picks!