With both teams heading for the Play-In Tournament, this won’t be the last time we’re making Lakers vs Warriors predictions this month. The latest odds have Los Angeles as the game-winner favourite, but there’s much more than that to consider here.
These teams have gone head-to-head on three occasions this season. The Warriors might have won the last two meetings, but the Lakers secured a win in a double-overtime game earlier in the campaign.
Both have played excellent basketball of late. With the competition for Play-In positioning heating up, they each rank in the top 11 in net rating over the past 10 games. Golden State has held off Houston to secure the 10th seed in the Western Conference and still hopes they can host the nine versus 10 games.
Los Angeles has similar ambitions. They need to stay ahead of the Warriors and will be eyeing up the Kings and Pelicans in front of them. Advancing to the eighth position would offer Los Angeles two chances to enter the Playoffs rather than facing a single-game elimination.
While Anthony Davis and LeBron James might both be questionable, we’re predicting the Lakers to dig deep here and deliver the vital win.
Only the Hawks, Thunder and Jazz have landed the over more frequently than the Lakers this season. Golden State might have been involved in a few low-scoring games of late, but all three of their contests with the Lakers have cleared this line comfortably.
Yes, both teams rank in the top five in defence over the last 10 games. However, even if the stats suggest the offences could struggle, it’s important to note three of the Lakers’ last four games have gone over this number. Los Angeles’ defence could also be severely depleted, with Jarred Vanderbilt out and the availability of Davis and James in question.
Golden State has an even record of 10-10 for hitting the under when they’re a road underdog, which is the case for their game on Tuesday night. The Lakers have cashed the over in 15 of their 29 games as a home favourite. With two defences excelling down the stretch, we expect both teams to push the pace and look for easy buckets in transition.
