The Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers resume their regular season schedules after the All-Star break on Thursday evening. The Warriors are 29-29 this season, with the Lakers coming out of the break with a 27-32 record. These teams have split their prior two regular season matchups, with the Lakers winning 109-103 when the two last played on Feb. 11. Stephen Curry (leg), Andrew Wiggins (personal) and Gary Payton II (adductor) are out for Golden State. LeBron James (foot) and Anthony Davis (foot) are listed as probable for LA.
Caesars Sportsbook lists Los Angeles as a 6.5-point home favorite, and tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET. The total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 238 in the latest Warriors vs. Lakers odds. Before making any Lakers vs. Warriors picks, you'll want to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
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 exits the NBA All-Star break on a stunning 55-30 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,100. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Warriors vs. Lakers and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Lakers vs. Warriors:
- Warriors vs. Lakers spread: Lakers -6.5
- Warriors vs. Lakers over/under: 238 points
- Warriors vs. Lakers money line: Lakers -260, Warriors +210
- GSW: The Warriors are 8-20 against the spread in road games
- LAL: The Lakers are 14-14 against the spread in home games
- Warriors vs. Lakers picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Warriors can cover
The Warriors have clear offensive strengths by the numbers. Golden State is scoring 114.2 points per 100 possessions this season, landing above the league average, and the Warriors lead the NBA in assist percentage (69.3%) and assists per game (29.9). Golden State is also in the top eight of the NBA in overall shooting efficiency while leading the league with 16.6 3-pointers per game.
The Warriors shoot 38.6% from beyond the arc and 56.3% from 2-point range, and Golden State is averaging nearly 15 fast break points per game. The Warriors do struggle with ball security, but the Lakers are in the bottom five of the NBA in turnovers created (12.8 per game) and steals (6.4 per game) on defense. On the other end, Golden State is facing a Los Angeles team that struggles from 3-point range at 33.7%, and the Lakers are also below-average on the offensive glass.
Why the Lakers can cover
Los Angeles has a pair of superstars to lead the way in James and Davis. James is averaging 30.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game, and Davis is generating 26.0 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks. With the Warriors playing without their MVP in Curry, LA has the edge in star power, and the Lakers are in the top five in fast break points (16.7 per game) and points in the paint (56.0 per game). The Lakers have a top-10 mark in field goal percentage (48.2%), and LA also has strong bonafides on defense.
The Lakers are in the top five in free throw prevention, giving up fewer than 22 attempts per game, and Warriors are dead-last in the league in free throw creation on offense. Golden State also has ball security issues, committing 16.4 turnovers per game.
How to make Lakers vs. Warriors picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 242 points. The model also says one side hits almost 70% of the time. You can only get the pick at SportsLine.
