The Golden State Warriors visit the Los Angeles Lakers for the second game on the opening night of the NBA season Tuesday. Tipoff is set for 10 p.m. ET from Staples Center. Below, we look at the Warriors vs. Lakers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The second of a back-to-back slate that starts with the Brooklyn Nets and the reigning champion Milwaukee Bucks, NBA fans are in for a treat when two-time MVP G Stephen Curry heads to battle four-time MVP F LeBron James.
The Lakers added G Russell Westbrook and are now led by the trio of Westbrook, James and F Anthony Davis. They also brought in F Carmelo Anthony this offseason.
The Warriors are down C James Wiseman who is still recovering from a torn meniscus. Five-time All-Star G Klay Thompson isn’t projected back until late 2021 either.
G Jordan Poole and now-vaccinated F Andrew Wiggins are both expected to play big roles for Golden State this upcoming season.
Warriors at Lakers odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:10 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Warriors +130 (bet $100 to win $130) | Lakers -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Warriors +3.5 (-110) | Lakers -3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 226.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Warriors at Lakers key injuries
Warriors
- C James Wiseman (meniscus) out
- G Klay Thompson (Achilles) out
Lakers
- G Talen Horton-Tucker (thumb) out
- G Malik Monk (groin) out
- G Wayne Ellington (hamstring) out
Warriors at Lakers odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Lakers 112, Warriors 109
Money line
“LEAN” to the LAKERS (-160) as a decent value on the money line.
The Lakers are a solid team, and their length could give Golden State issues. If they can throw the two Warriors guards off their game, they should be fine in terms of winning the game.
How the Warrios will be forced to handle Davis will impact things as well — if F Draymond Green slides to guard Davis, James should be able to abuse Wiggins in the post.
Ultimately, with the size all around, the Lakers should be able to give Golden State enough problems to at least win.
Against the spread
“LEAN” to the WARRIORS +3.5 (-110) as the Lakers are also going to have a lot of issues. Westbrook takes many shots and could control the offense when, in reality, they’ll want James and Davis making the plays.
Curry struggled to get going at the start of last season, but picked it up late, finishing as an MVP finalist. Expect him to pick up where he left off and be able to get the best of Westbrook.
The Warriors should be able to cover assuming he can get going. This is a better value, but it’s certainly a riskier one as well.
Over/Under
BET on the UNDER 226.5 (-110) as both teams could show some rust in their season opener. The Warriors averaged just over 113 points per game last year, 12th in the NBA.
The Lakers were worse, down to 109.5 points per game, good for the 22nd best in the league. While Westbrook was added, the Lakers should still want to slow the pace, especially with Davis and James.
Even if Curry can get 30 or 35 points, the Warriors would need production from players like Poole and Wiggins. Banking on that against a top-tier defense isn’t a great idea.
The Under is the best bet in this game.
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