The Los Angeles Lakers continue their best-of-7 Western Conference semifinal series against the Golden State Warriors Thursday at Chase Center in San Francisco. Tip for Game 2 is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Lakers vs. Warriors odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Lakers lead the series 1-0 after picking up a 117-112 win as 4.5-point underdogs (+155 moneyline) on the road in Game 1, and the Over (227.5) barely connected.
The Lake Show was in effect in Game 1 as Los Angeles hit 46.7% (43-of-92) from the field and a sparkling 86.2% (25-of-29) from the free-throw line. The only area L.A. didn’t do well in was from behind the arc, hitting just 24.0% (6-of-25).
F Anthony Davis was on fire, going for 30 points and 23 rebounds, while also posting 5 assists with 4 blocked shots. He was a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line as he became just the first player in Lakers postseason history to have at least 30 points, 20 boards, 5 assists and 4 blocked shots. He is also just the second NBA player to ever accomplish the feat, joining San Antonio Spurs Hall of Famer Tim Duncan, who did it twice. F LeBron James also added 22 points with 11 boards, giving the Lakers a pair of double-double performers.
The Warriors hit just 40.6% (43-of-106) from the floor. Golden State was a tremendous 39.6% (21-of-53) from downtown, but managed to get to the free-throw line just 6 total times, hitting 5 from the stripe. Golden State, like L.A., turned it over just 8 times.
F Kevon Looney had 10 points to go along with an amazing career-high 23 boards. Meanwhile, G Steph Curry poured in 27 points, including 6 triples, while his Splash Bro G Klay Thompson added 25 points with 4 assists and 3 rebounds, while also dropping in 6 3-pointers.
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Lakers at Warriors odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:53 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Lakers +200 (bet $100 to win $200) | Warriors -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Lakers +5.5 (-105) | Warriors -5.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 227.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Lakers at Warriors key injuries
Lakers
- F Anthony Davis (foot) probable
- F LeBron James (foot) probable
Warriors
- None
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Lakers at Warriors picks and predictions
Prediction
Warriors 121, Lakers 112
Moneyline
The Warriors (-250) will cost you 2 1/2 times your potential return in Game 2. While I am more than confident they will be able to bounce back after a disappointing series-opening loss, I never play a moneyline more than -180 on any singular wager. It’s a foolish bet and not a strong long-term betting strategy.
PASS.
Against the spread
The WARRIORS -5.5 (-115) are a strong option in Game 2. Golden State shot the ball well and took care of the rock but couldn’t get to the free-throw line. I expect that disparity to be considerably closer in Game 2 and swing the scales in Golden State’s favor.
Over/Under
OVER 227.5 (-110) is worth a look in Game 2.
The Over has connected in 7 of the past 9 games on the road for the Lakers, including the Game 1 result. The Over is also 9-2 in the past 11 games for Los Angeles after a straight-up win.
For Golden State, while the Under is 5-1 in the past 6 after a straight-up loss, the Over is 4-1 in the previous 5 meetings in San Francisco against the purple and gold, including the series opener.
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