Warriors vs. Lakers Pick
Are the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors going to blow past the host Los Angeles Lakers tonight at 10:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Warriors are a 5.5-point favorite on the spread line. The over-under is 218 points.
Golden State enters with a 23-6 overall record and 14-15 ATS after a 112-97 home win over the Mavericks, its eighth straight victory. Los Angeles is 10-17 overall and 13-14 ATS following a 121-112 loss at the Cavaliers. The Warriors won the first meeting this season 127-123 in overtime at Los Angeles. Golden State is 4-1 straight up and 3-2 ATS in five meetings since the start of last season. The under is 3-2.
The Warriors were led by Kevin Durant with 36 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and two blocked shots in the victory over Dallas. Klay Thompson contributed 25 points and five boards. Omri Casspi added 17 points, 11 boards, two assists and two blocked shots. Golden State outscored the Mavericks 64-49 in the second half.
Brandon Ingram accounted for 26 points, six rebounds and six assists in the loss at the Cavaliers. Kyle Kuzma tallied 20 points and seven rebounds off the bench. Lonzo Ball contributed 13 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds and two steals. Julius Randle added 13 points, four rebounds and three assists as a reserve. Los Angeles was outscored a combined 70-60 in the third and fourth quarters.
Golden State is 13-6 ATS in the last 19 meetings. The under is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Los Angeles.
The Warriors will be without Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Shaun Livingston for this game. Ouch. Rookie Jordan Bell has filled in admirably for Green, but the point guard situation will be less than ideal. Most of the offense will run through Durant, but considering Golden State had issues with the Lakers last time when healthy this is going to be a difficult matchup. I like the Lakers at home to keep it close and perhaps even steal a victory.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES LAKERS -5.5