Lakers vs Warriors Predictions & Odds (Feb. 11)

The NBA odds have the Lakers as 3.5-point road ‘dogs, and +135 on the moneyline.

There might not be a more Jekyll and Hyde team than the Warriors, who sport a sparkling 21-6 home record, and a dismal 7-21 mark on the road.

As for LA, they’re one of five teams in the NBA that have losing records both at home (13-14) and on the road (12-17). The other four teams are all already done for the year: Houston, San Antonio, Charlotte and Detroit.

Los Angeles Betting Analysis

The undermanned Lakers battled the Bucks tough Thursday night, eventually dropping a 115-106 decision to a team with the second-best record in the league.

LeBron James (ankle), and new additions D’Angelo Russell, Jared Vanderbilt, Malik Beasley and Mo Bamba were all sidelined, and all but Bamba are expected back in the lineup Saturday. He’s still on suspension for his part in a melee between the Magic and Nuggets.

Anthony Davis, a total non-factor in the loss to OKC on James’ historic night, bounced back with 23 points and nine rebounds. Dennis Schroder led the team in scoring with 25 points and 12 assists.

We’ll see Saturday what the new pieces bring to the table, but anything resembling average defense should do: the Lakers are giving up 118.6 points per game, tied with the Hornets for the 3rd-worst mark in the league.

Russell and Beasley are auto-upgrades in the shooting category, a Lakers’ team that’s desperate for it. Coming into Saturday, they’re bottom-5 shooting from beyond the arc, hitting at just 33.9% on the year.

Golden State Betting Analysis

The Warriors didn’t make any major moves at the trade deadline, even though Curry will be out until at least the All-Star break.

They did acquire Gary Payton II in a 4-team deal, though that trade is currently in flux — and could be rescinded — as it’s been revealed that Payton has a lingering core injury the Dubs were unaware of.

Golden State can use all the help they can get defensively, where they are just a tick below the Lakers in scoring D, surrendering 118.3 points per game.

Last time out, they were outgunned by Portland, dropping a 125-122 decision. Jordan Poole poured in a game-high 38 points to go along with seven dimes, while Klay Thompson chipped in with 31 of his own, adding three boards and five assists.

There should be quite a battle in this one from three-point range: the Warriors are shooting it at 38.5%, the 3rd-best mark in the league. The Lakers’ lone bright defensive talent is defending the arc, where they hold teams to 36.3%, also the 3rd-best mark in the NBA.

Lakers vs Warriors Betting Prediction

Totals have not been released yet, as it’s hard to handicap a total featuring two teams that rank in the top six in scoring, and bottom-5 in scoring defense. Anything to 240 points is probably worth taking the over.

The Lakers are 0-4 ATS in their last four games, and are just 10-15-1 ATS as a road ‘dog.

Golden State is 16-10-1 against the spread at Chase, the 7th-best home betting mark in the NBA. However, since starting out 17-2 on their home floor, they’ve gone just 4-4 in the new year.

I think urgency matters, and LA is running out of opportunities to climb back into the picture, 2.5 games back of 10th, and five games behind the sixth-seeded Clippers.

A game in primetime against the Curry-less Warriors might be the right time to let everyone know they’re still alive.