On Thursday night, the Los Angeles Lakers (29-19) host the Golden State Warriors (25-25) in a Western Conference battle that always brings excitement. LeBron James’ Lakers have been rolling lately, winning seven of their last eight games, including a 118-108 win over the Warriors on January 25. Steph Curry’s club has faltered lately, losing two of its last three games.
Can Golden State right the ship? Or will Los Angeles continue its winning ways? Let’s dive into the matchup and find out.
Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Odds
Preview: Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 10 p.m. ET
| Team | Spread | Money | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden State Warriors | +7 (-108) | +235 | O 222.5 (-110) |
| Los Angeles Lakers | -7 (-112) | -290 | U 222.5 (-110) |
Odds as of February 6, 2025 at Sportsbook
Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers Expert Picks
Los Angeles Lakers ATS -7 (-112)
The Warriors and Lakers have both been involved in significant trade deadline acquisitions, so any proper handicap of this game must start with who will actually be available for both groups. Jonathan Kuminga remains out for the Warriors with an ankle injury, while Golden State shipped out Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder, and Kyle Anderson in its acquisition of Jimmy Butler.
Steph Curry will start in the backcourt alongside Brandin Podziemski, while Buddy Hield and Draymond Green start at forward. Quinten Post is poised to make his fifth straight start at center and has been a solid contributor with Trayce Jackson-Davis sidelined by a knee injury. Podziemski is coming off a 29-point game against the Jazz last night, and the Warriors would love for him to continue to contribute, given how light they are in the scoring department.
Meanwhile, the Lakers acquired Luka Doncic and Mark Williams this week, setting the stage for the next chapter of basketball in Los Angeles. Neither player is ready to debut on Thursday, and the rotation will also be missing Anthony Davis, Max Christie, Dalton Knecht, and Cam Reddish, who were shipped out in trades.
Despite the chaos in the team’s rotation, the Lakers have been playing as well as anyone in the NBA lately. They rank third in net rating over their last ten games, behind only the Oklahoma City Thunder and, surprisingly, the Portland Trail Blazers. Over that same span, the Warriors rank 18th in net rating, including a ghastly 21st on defense.
The recent return of Draymond Green to the lineup should help the Warriors defensively, but this starting five is still ill-equipped to handle a Lakers offense that has been firing on all cylinders under J.J. Redick’s stewardship. Bet on James and the Lakers to continue their excellent form on Thursday against a Warriors team playing its third game in four days.
Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers Player Prop
Rui Hachimura OVER 23.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-125)
With Anthony Davis no longer in Los Angeles, Rui Hachimura is locked in as a critical piece in the Lakers’ frontcourt. He’s cleared 23.5 points, rebounds, and assists in seven of his last ten games without Davis, averaging 26.5 PRAs in those contests. His minutes could creep into the 30s here, given the Lakers’ shorthanded rotation, and he’s cleared 23.5 PRAs in eight of his last nine games without Davis when playing 24+ minutes.
The Warriors are starting Quentin Post at center, but we’ll likely see some small-ball lineups from both teams, which will open up scoring and rebounding opportunities for Hachimura.
Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends
- The Lakers are 16-6 SU and 13-9 ATS at home this season
- The Warriors are 3-5 ATS when playing with no rest this season
- The Lakers are 9-2 ATS against divisional opponents this season
*all betting trends courtesy of Outlier
