NBA Betting Picks, Odds, And Preview: Los Angeles Lakers vs Golden State Warriors

LeBron James posted his season-high in scoring against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday, tallying 40 points as the Los Angeles Lakers registered their sixth straight victory. The four-time NBA MVP and the rest of the Purple and Gold will try to keep the streak running and extend it to seven when they visit the Chase Center on Thursday to face the Western Conference-worst Golden State Warriors.

Los Angeles Lakers

James became the first player aged 35 or older to score at least 40 points since the late Kobe Bryant exploded for 60 markers in the last game of his career in 2016. The three-time NBA champion currently leads the league in assists with 10.6 per night but decided to be aggressive offensively against Zion Williamson and the Pelicans as he jacked up 27 shots and made 17 of them. He even flirted with a triple-double as he finished with eight rebounds and eight dimes. Anthony Davis backed up James' output with is own superb stat line of 21 points, 14 boards and six blocks.

Golden State Warriors

Golden State's season is virtually done save for the final tally. Star point guard Stephen Curry is reported to return on March 1 against the Wizards with nothing really at stake positioning wise for the erstwhile perennial contenders. The Warriors have lost seven straight games following a 112-94 obliteration by the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday which also marked their seventh straight setback in the Bay Area. Starting forward Draymond Green remains day-to-day as he nurses a pelvic injury while Klay Thomspon is already ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Odds and Trends

The Lakers, who are at the opposite pole being the best team in the conference, are 11-point favorites against the Dubs as the projected total points are set at over/under 225.5.

The Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall and 4-1 in their last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.

The Warriors are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600 and 4-10-1 in their last 15 games following a double-digit loss at home.

Over is 4-1 in Lakers' last 5 games as a road favorite and 5-0 in Warriors' last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.

Under is 5-1 in Lakers' last 6 Thursday games and 4-0 in Warriors' last 4 games playing on 1 days rest.

Prediction

Lakers win, 126-109