NBA Golden State Warriors vs Los Angeles Lakers Preview and Prediction

Date/Time: 01-10-2019, 22:30 EDT

Spread: Los Angeles Lakers +12

Total: +232.5

In this all-Western showdown between two squads sitting in and out of the playoff places of the conference, the defending champions Golden State Warriors, who are red-hot and are looking to extend their current lengthy winning streak, are visiting the Los Angeles Lakers, who are missing their star player and want to return to the winning ways.

Warriors are 32-14 so far in the league and are sitting on top of the Western Conference. They are 9-1 in their last 10 games and in their latest matchup they were victorious against LA Clippers on the road, 112-94. Lakers are 25-22 so far in the league and are sitting on the ninth place of the Western Conference. In their latest matchup they saw a 2-game victory streak end with a road defeat by Houston in overtime, 134-138.

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Golden State are led in scoring by Stephen Curry with 29.8 ppg. He also adds 5.2 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game, while Kevin Durant follows with 28.1 ppg, adding 6 assists and leading the team in rebounding with 7.4 per game. Klay Thompson adds 21.6 ppg and 4.2 rebounds. LA are led in scoring by LeBron James with 27.3 ppg. He also leads the team both in rebounding with 8.3 and in assists made with 7.1 per game but he is unavailable due to injury. Kyle Kuzma follows with 19.3 ppg, adding 6.1 rebounds per game, while Brandon Ingram adds 16.3 ppg and 4.9 rebounds per game.

This will be the second meetings between those two teams so far this season with LA having the previous game on the road by 26 points. LA are 15-9 at home, while Golden State are 14-8 on the road. Golden State have the best offense in the league with 118.5 ppg to LA’s 112.4, while both squads allow almost the same points on defense (111.4 and 111.9 ppg). Golden State have a better accuracy both from the field (48.8% to 47.2%) and from behind the arc (38.9% to 33.6%). They also commit fewer turnovers (13.8 to 15.4) and dish more assists per game (28.8 to 24.5), while LA grab more rebounds (47.6 to 46.5). LA pose no threat to the defending champions without LeBron James so pick the Warriors for the road win in this one.

Golden State Warriors vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction: Golden State Warriors -12 (-108)