It’s LeBron James vs Steph Curry when the Los Angeles Lakers (23-11) host the Golden State Warriors (19-15) in a primetime, nationally-televised matchup on Sunday.
The defending champion Lakers look to record consecutive victories after getting a much-needed win on Friday night. The revamped Dubs look to stay hot while recording consecutive victories over LeBron James and company.
Golden State sits in seventh place in the loaded Western Conference. Los Angeles is in third place in the conference standings.
With starting point guard Dennis Schröder back in action, are the Lakers the sportsbook betting pick to take care of business at home?
After stunning the Lakers just over a month ago, are the Warriors the online betting pick to extend their winning ways? Check out the NBA Odds for this Saturday night showdown when they go live.
Golden State Warriors at LA Lakers
When: Sunday, February 28, 2021, at 8 p.m. ET
Where: STAPLES Center, Los Angeles, CA
TV: ESPN, Spectrum SportsNet, NBC Sports Bay Area
Radio: ESPN LA 710/KWKW (S), 95.7 The Game
Dubs Look Increasingly Dangerous
After getting rocked by the news that Klay Thompson was lost for the season, Golden State got off to an uneven start this season. Now, though, the Warriors look like a more cohesive ballclub. Golden State won three straight and seven of 10, including a solid 130-121 win over Charlotte on Friday night.
Draymond Green had a triple-double with a career-high 19 assists, 12 rebounds and 11 points to lead the way to victory after losing his cool late in a loss against the Hornets last week.
“Revenge game would be a bit of a stretch,” Green said. “Just me coming out and making it right. Trying to do whatever I can to help this team get a win. Can’t just forget about what happened last week.”
Steph Curry added 29 points and eight assists after sitting out last week’s matchup against Charlotte.
“With Curry back, it changes our defense,” Hornets coach James Borrego said.
Kelly Oubre Jr. had 27 points, and all five starters scored in double figures for the Warriors.
Golden State averages 114.7 points per game (7th) on 46.6% shooting from the field (13th) and 37.2% from beyond the arc (11th). Defensively, the Warriors allow 112.7 points per game (19th) on 44.1% shooting from the field (2nd) and 37.4% shooting from three-point distance (20th).
Lakers Hope to get back on Track Without AD
The Lakers lost four straight and five of its previous six games, but managed to pick up a much-needed win by beating Portland 102-93 on Friday night. LeBron James scored a team-high 28 points and veteran point guard Dennis Schroeder added 22 points in his return from a four-game COVID-19 protocol absence.
“His energy alone gives us a spark,” James said of Schröder. “His competitive nature gives us a spark. To have him back in our lineup just means so much to our team. It was big-time.”
The Lakers earned the win despite giving up a game-high 35 points to Blazers superstar point guard Damian Lillard.
Los Angeles averages 111.2 points per game (19th) on 47.9% shooting from the field (8th) and 34.8% from three-point distance (27th). Defensively, the Lakers are limiting the opposition to 106.1 points per game (2nd) on 45.0% shooting from the field (5th) and 35.4% from beyond the arc (7th).
Analysis and Prediction
The Lakers might be playing at home, and may be looking for revenge against Golden State, but I’m going with the Warriors to cover the spread by winning outright.
LA will have to depend on James and Schröder to get the vast majority of its offense, while Golden State has better offensive balance with five players averaging double figures in scoring, not including Draymond Green.
Kelly Oubre Jr. is playing his best basketball of the season after struggling early on in his first season with the Warriors. Rookie center James Wiseman and second-year forward Eric Paschall both have huge upsides, and Golden State’s reserves are consistently contributing.
The Warriors are 5-2 ATS over their last seven games and a commanding 6-1 SU in their last seven road dates against the Lakers. Los Angeles is 1-4 ATS in its last five games and 2-6 ATS in its last eight home games. I’m feeling an upset brewing. Steph Curry goes off for at least 30 and Golden State wins outright!
Pick: Warriors 111, Lakers 106
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