The Los Angeles Lakers take on the Golden State Warriors for the second time this season on Monday night. Last time around the Lakers made quick work of the Warriors, winning 117-91.
The purple and gold are going to look to repeat that result this time around. The Lakers are still far off from being 100% but building some momentum out of the all-star break is huge for the team.
The Western Conference standings are so closely contested and with Anthony Davis missing even more time, the last thing the Lakers need is to fall down the standings. The playoffs will never be in question, but the last thing the team needs is to play a top team in the first round of the playoffs.
As it currently stands, the Lakers are third in the West and are three games behind the Utah Jazz. They are only 4.5 games ahead of the eighth-seeded Dallas Mavericks and 5.5 games ahead of the ninth-seeded Warriors.
Anything could happen.
While this is the second game of the second half, this is the first game of the second half that I am continuing my betting picks on. Hand up, I missed the first game back against the Indiana Pacers.
According to the Bet MGM odds on the Action Network, the Lakers are 2.5-point favorites on the road against the Warriors. The point goal for the game has been set at 224.
I have a 31-31 record this season.
Betting picks for Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors:
- Golden State Warriors +2.5, under 224 (Final score: Warriors 110, Lakers 106)
It is never fun to pick against the Los Angeles Lakers but I have to go with the team that is getting points in this game, not the team that has to cover points.
Anthony Davis is obviously out but that is not the only loss for the Lakers. Marc Gasol (who is important for the defense) is out with Alex Caruso also likely missing the game. Both LeBron James and Kyle Kuzma are questionable, but should play.
But with multiple guys out, this has all the makings of being a game in which LeBron James takes it easy on his ankle and isn’t producing at his full potential.
The Lakers beat the Pacers on Friday as the role players really turned it on in the second half. This game feels like it is going to be very similar, but the Warriors will be able to hold onto their lead at home. The Lakers will battle, but will ultimately come up short.
And hey, if I am wrong then it means the Los Angeles Lakers won by three or more points, which is obviously fine by me.