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NBA

Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers Predictions, Picks, Odds

Michael Crosson
Michael Crosson Sports Betting Expert
4 minute read

Nationally televised NBA action will resume on Saturday night with a primetime Western Conference showdown between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers. Coverage begins from Crypto.com Arena at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

Score Prediction

Warriors 116, Lakers 108

Best Bets

Warriors -5.5 (-110) at BetMGM

Warriors vs. Lakers Predictions

After finishing ninth in the West with a record of 39-33 SU last year, Golden State bounced back with a triumphant start to this season, as the Warriors kicked things off with an impressive 18-3 SU and 15-5-1 ATS run – with 14 of those victories coming by double-digits.

The last few months have been shaky without Draymond Green though, considering the Warriors enter Saturday riding a relatively bumpy 25-17 SU and 15-24-3 ATS stretch – despite getting tagged as favorites in 33 of those contests.

On the other hand, the Lakers stumbled out to a frustrating start to this season, as L. A. opened with a lackluster 10-11 SU and 7-14 ATS skid – which was primarily chalked up to growing pains associated with the offseason acquisition of Russell Westbrook.

The Lakers have maintained a similarly deficient pace since that point though, considering L. A. enters Saturday riding an abysmal 16-24 SU and 18-22 ATS skid – despite getting tagged as favorites in 24 of those matchups.

I’ll back Golden State here, as the Lakers are 1-7 SU and 2-5-1 ATS in their last eight games, while scoring just 106.8 OPPG and allowing 115.6 DPPG across that window – setting the stage for another unfavorable matchup against a Warriors squad that’s scored 114+ PTS in six of their last eight contests (115 OPPG).

Warriors vs. Lakers Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds

Warriors vs. Lakers Betting Resources

  • Matchup: Pacific
  • Date: Saturday, March 5, 2022
  • Venue: Crypto.com Arena
  • Location: Los Angeles, CA
  • TV-Time: ABC - 8:30 p.m. ET
  • Injury Report

Golden State Warriors Betting Analysis

  • SU: 43-20
  • ATS: 30-29-4
  • O/U: 27-34-2

After last year’s lackluster 39-33 SU showing, the Warriors returned seeking immediate retribution to start the new season, as Golden State kicked things off with wins in 18 of their first 20 games – with their only two losses across that window coming by slim margins of four points or less.


Golden State has primarily leaned on its defense since December, as the Warriors enter Saturday riding a relatively pedestrian 25-17 SU stretch, while scoring just 109.2 OPPG and allowing 106.6 DPPG across that span. Golden State’s mantra has slightly altered since the return of Klay Thompson though, highlighted by the Warriors averaging 112.4 OPPG across their last 18 games.

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Analysis

  • SU: 27-35
  • ATS: 26-35-1
  • O/U: 33-28-1

Regardless of the circumstances, sitting below .500 is an undeniable disappointment for this year’s Lakers squad, but to be fair, they’ve encountered several injury hurdles, so it’s tough to write them off completely, considering LeBron James has already missed his fair share of games this season (17) – while Anthony Davis has missed 25, and he’s slated to miss at least two more weeks with a mid-foot sprain.

The Lakers still have time to turn things around and dodge the play-in tournament; they just need to get healthy first, and ultimately, shoot the ball better, considering L. A. ranks 24th in offensive efficiency and 13th in scoring (1.056 OE, 110.4 OPPG) – which doesn’t bode well for a squad that also ranks 17th in defensive efficiency (1.078 DE).

The Warriors are 1-8 ATS in their last nine games. (AP)

Warriors vs. Lakers Head-to-Head

The Lakers won two-of-three regular-season meetings against Golden State last year, with the first and third matchups going over the total at an average of 226.5 PPG – while the second stayed under at a score of 117-91. The Warriors are 2-0 SU against L. A. this season though, with both contests soaring over the number at an average of 233.5 PPG.

Key Players to Watch

  • GSW: Steph Curry - PG (25.7 PPG, 5.3 REB, 6.5 AST)
  • GSW: Klay Thompson - SG (17.1 PPG, 3.8 REB, 2.9 AST)
  • LAL: LeBron James - SF (28.8 PPG, 8 REB, 6.2 AST)
  • LAL: Malik Monk - SG (12.7 PPG, 3.3 REB, 2.5 AST)

Warriors vs. Lakers Betting Conclusion

After extending their losing streak to four games with an ugly loss to the Clippers on Thursday night (L, 132-111), the Lakers enter Saturday’s contest as short home underdogs against the Warriors at Crytpo.com Arena – marking the fifth time L. A. has been an underdog across their last seven contests.

I’ll back Golden State here, as despite sitting 1-4 SU in their last five games, the Warriors still generated 115.2 OPPG and allowed just 114 DPPG across that window – likely presenting a difficult task for a Lakers squad that’s scored 106 PTS or less in four of their last five contests (103.6 OPPG).

Warriors vs. Lakers Betting Trends

  • The Warriors are 1-8 ATS in their last nine games.
  • The Lakers are 6-3 SU in their last nine matchups against Golden State.
  • The total has gone OVER in seven of the last eight Warriors' games.
  • The Lakers are 1-4 ATS in their last five games.
  • The total has gone UNDER in four of the last five Lakers' games.

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Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson began his time at VegasInsider as a freelance NBA writer back in 2019 while he continued to study Psychology and Biology at James Madison University. Following his graduation in 2021, Michael joined the team full-time, and he's been with VI ever since. Michael still writes NBA, NFL, and MLB for VI, as well as gambling industry news. He's also become a crucial part of our editorial production team. More from Michael Crosson
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