Saturday’s five-game series in the NBA will be headlined in part by a primetime matchup on ABC between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. It’s a crucial battle for playoff positioning in the Western Conference. Los Angeles is currently sixth with a 34-24 record, while Golden State is eighth at 31-28.
Let’s dive into my Lakers vs. Warriors prediction diving.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors odds
Moneyline: Lakers -156 / Warriors +132
Spread: Lakers -3.5 (-104) / Warriors +3.5 (-116)
Total: Over 226.5 (-106) / Under 226.5 (-114)
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors best bet: Lakers -3.5 (-104)
Golden State hasn’t won back-to-back games since winning four straight games between Jan. 13 and Jan. 19. They’ll have to end that drought if they want to get the job done on Saturday, as they come away with a win against Memphis on Wednesday. It’s no surprise that the Warriors haven’t been able to enjoy any sustained success. After all, superstar guard Stephen Curry missed all of February with a knee injury and Jimmy Butler is out for the year with a torn ACL. Curry will be re-evaluated this weekend, so he obviously won’t play in this game. Additionally, Kristaps Porzingis (illness) and De’Anthony Melton (knee) are questionable.
As for the Lakers, they are healthy for the most part. Both LeBron James Luka and Doncic are ready to go. Only Rui Hachimura is on the injury report (doubtful due to Saturday’s illness). Nevertheless, LA is not playing particularly well – a loser of three straight games. Still, the two most recent setbacks have come down to the final shot (a 110-109 loss to Orlando and a 113-110 loss to Phoenix).
These two teams last faced off on February 7, when Los Angeles earned a 105-99 win. That game may have been in LA, but the Lakers were without Doncic. With Doncic back and Curry remaining on the shelf, another relatively comfortable win should be in store for the Lakers.
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