NBA: LA Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors Preview, Odds, Prediction

The Los Angeles Lakes are in San Francisco, where they prepare for the clash with the Golden State Warriors. This divisional matchup carries a lot of significance because both teams are after the playoffs, with the note that the Dub Nation is in a much better position. The reigning NBA champions are just a couple of victories away from the direct playoff seed, while the Lakers need to create a huge push in order to reach that position, with the play-in tournament looking like a much more realistic goal. 

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Preview

Los Angeles Lakers (25-31, +145) have three losses in a row but are coming to this battle following an executed trade deal in which the purple and gold received their former star, D’Angelo Russell. Now, there are certain questions about whether this is the right move for the LAL, considering their overall situation, but time will tell us more on that matter.

What is important is that the Lakers need this win badly. After a loss in New Orleans, they were defeated by the OKC Thunder in a game in which LBJ broke Kareem’s record, and after that, the Milwaukee Bucks took their scalp also at the Crypto.com Arena, 115-106. 

King James was out for this event, so the Bucks had an easier job than expected. Denis Schroder scored 25 points and had 12 assists, while Anthony Davis posted 23 with 16 rebounds. Austin Reaves came off the bench to deliver 18 points.

Golden State Warriors (28-27, -165) woke up Klay Thomspon, who scored 19 threes in the past two games, and who plays very well these days, having stuffed 42 points to the Thunder and 31 to the Blazers. His team isn’t as shining as expected, with the Dub Nation recording a 2-3 record in the past five events, though that still didn’t rule them out of the playoff battle. 

Steve Kerr’s team beat the Mavs and the Thunder at home before losing to the Blazers, 125-122. It was a close ending in which the champs couldn’t flip the result. 

Klay had 31 points with seven threes, while Jordan Poole ended the night with 38 buckets and seven assists. The only problem for the champs was that apart from Donte DiVincenzo and Andrew Wiggins, who scored 18 points, there weren’t any other notable scorers. 

Head to Head Games

This is the second of four head-to-head meetings the Warriors and the Lakers are going to have this year. The first was at Chase Center, and the Warriors routinely won 123-109. It was the first game of the year for both units. 

AD had 27 points, LBJ 31 buckets and 15 boards, while Westbrook added 19 and 11 rebounds. Steph Curry scored 33 for the hosts, and Wiggins had 20. Klay ended the night with 18. 

Prediction

The Warriors have been much better at home than on the road, and in 27 events, have 21 wins and only six losses. Chase Center has been their stronghold since this generation got together, and even though Curry won’t be able to play, we strongly recommend betting on the hosts here. They are still too strong at home for any average team in the league, which the Lakers are now.

Pick: Golden State Warriors to win