Los Angeles Takes Aim at Clincher
The Los Angeles Lakers are in rare air and will advance to the Western Conference finals should they beat the Golden State Warriors on Friday.
NBA betting odds have the Lakers at -2½ so it could go either way, and beating the Warriors in this situation hasn’t been achieved many times.
We expect an even spread of money at the sportsbook for Game 6.
Don’t Count Defending Champions Out
If history tells us anything, it’s to not count out the Golden State Warriors, who don’t often lose must-win games.
NBA lines have them as the underdogs, which is where they love to be. Steph Curry and Klay Thompson thrive when they’re not expected to win, so this plays right into their hands.
However, the Warriors will need to play their best on the road. They have been shocking on the road for most of the season, which is our biggest worry.
Boasting just 11 wins away from home, the Warriors are not road warriors. Given how loud the home crowd will be for the Lakers, it will be an unsettling environment, but one Golden State hasn’t faced before.
Coming off a 121-106 win is an ideal form line, but Warriors center Draymond Green talked about the pressure of being defending champions.
“We’re champions, so there’s pressure every time you step on the floor,” Green said. “You go out there, you don’t win, people are ready to crush you. People forget about the things that you’ve done in the past.”
We expect money to come for the Warriors with NBA betting lines. The +120 is there to be taken and they could start as -110 equal favorites.
Lakers Poised to Advance
The Los Angeles Lakers couldn’t have asked for a better Game 6 situation. All they need to do is win at home against a team with a poor road record.
It’s easier said than done, but with the likes of LeBron James and Anthony Davis in the team, getting flustered isn’t a part of their DNA.
They too have been in this situation, but without the addition of a home crowd to cheer them on. With crypto.com Arena going ballistic, it could be enough to see the Lakers ride the wave of momentum and prove the NBA odds right.
They are favorites to win and rightfully so. They have played better basketball, but a hit to Davis’ head was cause for concern. However, he is expected to play in Game 6.
“Obviously, everyone saw he took a shot to the head, but we just checked in on him, he seems to be doing really good already,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. “That’s just where he’s at. That’s the status of it right now.”
Based on the current trends, the Lakers are the team to beat. Online gambling markets expect them to win in a close contest.
Bettors should watch NBA live betting markets. If either team gets up by double digits, there could be value in the trailing team.
Warriors vs Lakers Game Injuries
Warriors vs Lakers Head-to-Head
The Lakers have a 6-4 against the spread advantage over the last 10 games. However, the Warriors won and covered a -7½ spread in the most recent meeting.
It’s 4-0 ATS to the Lakers in their last four home games.
Warriors vs Lakers Game Information
- Game: Warriors (50-44) vs Lakers (51-43)
- Day/Time: Friday, May 12, 10:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
- Warriors vs Lakers Live stream: NBA Game Pass
Warriors vs Lakers Betting Lines
The odds in this chart are posted on the time of publication of the article. They are subject to change without previous notice.
Warriors vs Lakers Picks and Prediction
It’s hard not to bet on the Warriors in a do-or-die situation, so we’re going to back them.
They are undersized, but they have Curry, who can turn any game on its head at any moment.
We’re happy to take the +2½ line and include over 221½ in NBA parlays.
Los Angeles Lakers is listed at -140 in our Vegas NBA lines. This means that if you wager $100 on the Lakers, there’s a chance to win $71. Golden State is +120, offering a chance to win $120 on a $100 wager.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives Lakers a 58.33% chance to win, with the Warriors at 45.45%.
Warriors vs Lakers Trends
Warriors vs Lakers TrendsWarriors vs Lakers Edge
Warriors vs Lakers Results
Warriors vs Lakers Game Summary
Warriors vs Lakers Previous Game (May 10, 2023)
The Los Angeles Lakers can go from play-in longshots to the Western Conference finals with a win over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday. If that happens, Los Angeles will become the first play-in team to make the conference finals since the playoffs expanded in 2021.
The Lakers won Game 4 thanks to a strong game from their stars and bench while the Warriors‘ defense collapsed in the fourth quarter.
The NBA odds for Wednesday list the Warriors as significant home favorites, with the NBA spreads at -7 and moneyline odds approaching -300.
