Lakers Nuggets betting is set for tonight’s Game 4 in Denver, with the Lakers coming in as a 4.5-point underdog and a 2-1 series lead. If you’re looking for the reason why the Lakers will win this game, look no further than the bench.

Seriously….the Nuggets have lost two games in this series due to inbounding players. That’s two sloppy plays away from a possible 3-0 series lead. Really? George Karl has to be one of the worst coaches in the league. Chauncey Billups probably does more coaching on the Nuggets than Karl does (see Carmelo Anthony sprinting to the bench at Billups’ request earlier this season). And it’s not like this is his first time. He was the coach when Seattle lost to Denver as a No.1 seed in the first round of the ‘94 playoffs, he was the coach for the 2002 USA team that failed to get a medal. He’s never been a good Xs and Os guy, so Nuggets fans shouldn’t hold their breath.

Phil Jackson hasn’t been at his best in these playoffs, with some strange substitution patterns. Still, he’s won nine NBA titles, so he’s earned the benefit of the doubt. And he has the game’s best closer in Kobe Bryant, who is averaging 37.7 points in this series and has smacked Denver in the mouth with two 40-point games. The biggest difference is the calmness he exudes over this team, even during the last series with Houston. Karl doesn’t do that, and it seems to be on Billups to slow the team down.  That’s one of the main reasons the Lakers has been near the top of the NBA Finals odds all year.

Lakers Nuggets betting pick: Lakers, because George Karl would never do this:

(Bonus Champions League betting pick: Manchester United. Barca’s defense is just too banged up to marshall the likes of Ronaldo, Rooney et al)