Lakers vs Warriors Prediction, Odds & Best Bets | NBA Betting (2/22): Curry Makes It Rain

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The Los Angeles Lakers (30-26) are set to go head-to-head against the Golden State Warriors (27-26) for a 10 p.m. ET collision as the NBA returns to action on Thursday, Feb. 22.

Which team do you trust more heading into the second half of the season: Lakers or Warriors? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/VNEjI4bjZv

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 21, 2024

The Lakers are on a roll when we last saw them, winning three straight games heading into the NBA All-Star Break. Having said that, the Warriors were also piling up the wins, amassing an 8-2 SU record across their last 10 outings.

When it comes to making the playoffs, though, both teams have work to do. According to BetOnline’s futures markets, Los Angeles has +100 odds to qualify for the postseason while Golden State’s playoff odds sit at +110.

As usual, tonight’s clash features plenty of betting opportunities, so let’s check out my Lakers vs. Mavericks predictions and best bets.

Lakers vs Warriors NBA Betting Tonight (2/22)

Lakers vs Warriors Matchup Information

• Matchup: Los Angeles Lakers (30-26, 11-17 Away) vs. Golden State Warriors (27-26, 14-14 Home)
• Venue & Location: Chase Center (San Francisco, CA)
• Date: Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024
• Game Time: 10 p.m. Eastern Time
• How to Watch Lakers vs. Warriors: TNT

Warriors vs Lakers Odds & Spread

Warriors vs. Lakers odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Thursday, Feb. 22 at 9:50 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Lakers vs Warriors Spread

• Los Angeles Lakers +6 (-110)
• Golden State Warriors -6 (-110)

Warriors vs Lakers Over/Under

• Over 242.5 Points (-115)
• Under 242.5 Points (-105)

Lakers vs Warriors Moneyline

• Los Angeles Lakers (+195)
• Golden State Warriors (-225)

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Lakers vs Warriors NBA Betting Trends

• The Lakers are 8-2 straight up in their last 10 games vs. Golden State.
• Golden State is 2-4 straight up in its last six games on a Thursday.
• The Lakers are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games.
• Golden State is 10-2 ATS in its last 12 games played in February.
• The total hit the Over in 17 of the Lakers’ last 20 road games.
• The total hit the Over in five of Golden State’s last seven games vs. the Lakers.

Lakers vs Warriors Prediction & NBA Pick Today (2/22): Can LA Survive Without LeBron?

The big talk of tonight’s matchup is how the Lakers will be without LeBron James, who’s out with an ankle injury. The four-time NBA MVP has been Los Angeles’ best player throughout the season, averaging 24.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and .520/.395/.741 shooting splits.

For what it’s worth, the Lakers are 4-3 SU without LeBron in the lineup this season and 25-35 SU in the last 60 games that he’s missed. I would normally imagine Los Angeles putting up a fight without “The King,” however, Cam Reddish (ankle) and Max Christie (ankle) are both questionable while Anthony Davis (Achilles/hip) is also banged up.

That’s without mentioning how Christian Wood (knee), Gabe Vincent (knee), and Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) have already been ruled out, too.

As for the Warriors, Chris Paul (hand), is the only player who’s been ruled out while Gary Payton II is questionable with an illness. Not the most perfect injury situation, but still better than the opposition.

How will the Lakers perform without LeBron James (and potentially several others) out of the lineup tonight?

It’s going to be tough for the shorthanded Lakers to stop the Warriors, especially with how the latter has been playing lately. Over the last 10 games, Golden State ranks second in points per game, second in threes made, second in three-point percentage, first in rebounds, first in assists, and third in average scoring margin.

Unsurprisingly, Stephen Curry has been the Warriors’ best player during this run. The shooting savant is averaging 30.9 PTS/5.1 REB/5.4 AST while shooting 51.0% from the floor and 48.1% from the three-point line during that stretch. Golden State has also received plenty of depth scoring, highlighted by four other players averaging between 12.6 and 19.6 points.

Curry & Co. are probably licking their chops at the thought of the Lakers’ lackluster perimeter defense. Los Angeles struggles to guard the three-point line, surrendering the third-most threes made on the 10th-highest success rate. Meanwhile, the Warriors scored the second-most threes on the fourth-highest percentage.

For reference, Golden State shot 23-for-58 (39.7%) from downtown when these teams last met on Jan. 27.

The Warriors will look to exploit the Lakers’ mediocre three-point defense.

It’s hard to like the Lakers whenever they’re without LeBron, hence why we’re backing the Warriors tonight. Golden State is the healthier team at the moment and is producing wins left and right. If the Lakers aren’t prepared to defend the three-point line, this game could be put out of reach fairly quickly.

As for the best bet, let’s take the Over on the 242.5-point total. On top of the Over being 10-4 in the Lakers’ last 14 games, it’s also 6-2 in the Warriors’ last eight home outings. That’s without even mentioning how Los Angeles and Golden State surpassed their projected point total in seven of their last eight meetings at Chase Center.

Even with LeBron sitting this one out, I expect a fair bit of offense in the Bay.

Lakers vs Warriors Prediction: GSW wins

Best Lakers vs Warriors NBA Bet: u244.5 Total Points (-105)

Get 50% up to $1,000 on this NBA pick today over at BetOnline

Best Lakers vs Warriors NBA Prop Bet (2/22)

There are a few Lakers vs. Warriors player props that stick out tonight, including Stephen Curry o5.5 threes made.

Curry has been money from the three-point line over the last few weeks, averaging 6.7 threes made on 47.4% shooting across his last 11 games. He’s finished with at least six three-pointers in seven of those games, which includes racking up nine or more in three of the last five.

Again, the Lakers are terrible at guarding the perimeter, highlighted by Curry tallying nine threes made when these teams last met. Don’t overthink things: back the Over again.

Best Lakers vs Warriors Prop Bet: Stephen Curry o5.5 Threes Made (-120)

Get 50% up to $1,000 on this NBA pick today over at BetOnline

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