At the beginning of any handicapping assessment of the Lakers the first question regards the status of LeBron James. His injured groin has kept him out of the lineup for most of a month with no immediate relief in sight. Most important of all is that James’s absence has exposed the Lakers weaknesses with the NBA games betting odds. Without James they are simply among the worst teams in the Association. Contrarily Golden State has the opposite problem. Indeed, their irony is that their greatness is a drag on board value. Too many gamblers bet too much on the champs.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors
Date and Time: Saturday, February 2, 2019, 8:30 p.m. Eastern
Location: ORACLE Arena, Oakland, California
NBA Betting Online Odds at SBG: Click Here!
Lakers vs. Warriors TV Coverage: ABC
Los Angeles Lakers
Gamblers have lost faith in a Lakers team lacking James and their performance with him on the sidelines. Consider Los Angles has covered just three of their last nine games with seven of their last ten going under the total. LA now stands at 26-25 straight up with just 21 payouts in 51 games. Concurrently the Lakers rank 14th in the NBA for scoring offense and 21st for points allowed.
Golden State Warriors
Balanced against that is the recent strong betting value on Golden State. Winning tickets have been cashed in eight of their last 10 games. Seven of their last nine games have gone over the total. In turn the Warriors now stand at 36-14 straight up, with 23 payouts and 28 games going over the total. NBA metrics have Golden State ranked first for scoring offense but 20th for points allowed. Certainly, the trio of Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Klay Thompson set the Warriors apart. Especially in this game.
Stats to Consider
Late wagering action has shown the Lakers to be a bargain value as a road dog. LA has covered five of their last seven as NBA games betting pups away from home. Seven of their last 11 in that situation have gone under the total. Counter to that is the perpetually weak betting value of Golden State as a home chalk. The Warriors have paid in just three of their last 13 laying points at ORACLE Arena. Five of their last eight in the role have gone over the total.
Team vs. Team
Starting with the last six games have the Lakers had the online sportsbook edge with Golden State. LA has paid in four of the last six head to head meetings. And four of those six games went over the total. However, at ORACLE Arena the Warriors have had the better of it. Golden State has covered eight of their last 12 home games with Los Angeles. Five of the last seven games between these teams at Golden State have gone under the total.
Matchup to Watch
On the whole Golden State has far more of an arsenal in this matchup with NBA games betting odds. Curry averages 29.3 points per game, Durant is at 27.7 PPG, and Thompson is adding 21.7 PPG.
Lakers vs. Warriors NBA games Betting Odds Picks
In this situation the Warriors are far and away the best choice.
Lakers vs. Warriors NBA Betting Online Pick: Golden State Warriors
Lakers vs. Warriors NBA Betting Online Score Prediction: Lakers 96, Warriors 112