Two lower seeds advanced in the Western Conference, and they have set up a matchup for the ages in the second round.
The Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry defeated the Sacramento Kings in Game 7 on Sunday, behind an NBA Game 7 record 50 points from Curry to set up a matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James in the Western Conference semifinals.
Another chapter in the Curry-James rivalry? Sign us up. The two famously faced off in the NBA Finals in four straight seasons during James’ second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Warriors have home court advantage in this series as the No. 6 seed, which is huge considering the team went just 11-30 on the road in the regular season. However, Golden State did win Game 5 and 7 on the road against the Kings to escape the first round.
There is a ton of star power on both sides in this series, and the Lakers disposed of the No. 2-seeded Memphis Grizzlies fairly easily in the first round. Anthony Davis has been a dominant presence in the paint for Los Angeles, which may make things tough on a Golden State team that loves to play small.
The Warriors had their ups and downs in the first round, but the defending champs showed they can flip the switch (especially Curry) when it matters most. They’re favored slightly in this series, but it should be a great matchup.
Here’s a look at the odds and my best bet for possibly the final chapter in the Steph-LeBron rivalry:
Lakers vs. Warriors series odds
LAL vs GSW Series Betting
Odds updated May 1st, 2023, at 9:41 am
Lakers vs. Warriors correct score (Exact outcome odds)
LAL vs GSW Series Correct Score
Odds updated May 1st, 2023, at 9:41 am
Lakers vs. Warriors series game schedule
- Game 1: Lakers @ Warriors, Tuesday, May 2, 10 p.m. ET, TNT
- Game 2: Lakers @ Warriors, Thursday, May 4, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Game 3: Warriors @ Lakers, Saturday, May 6, 8 p.m. ET, ABC
- Game 4: Warriors @ Lakers, Monday, May 8, 10 p.m. ET, TNT
- *Game 5: Lakers @ Warriors, Wednesday, May 10, Time TBA, TNT
- *Game 6: Warriors @ Lakers, Friday, May 12, Time TBD, ESPN
- *Game 7: Lakers @ Warriors, Sunday, May 14, Time TBD, TV Channel TBD
Lakers vs. Warriors series prediction and pick
I wouldn’t be shocked if this series goes the distance, as we have two veteran teams that know what it takes to win in the playoffs.
The Warriors should benefit from having four games at Chase Center in this series, a place where they have dominated all season long.
Still, the Davis matchup with Draymond Green and Kevon Looney could be where this series is decided. The Lakers big man grabbed 81 rebounds and blocked 26 shots in six games against Memphis, which honestly sounds like video game numbers.
The issue for Los Angeles? The team was +69 with Davis on the floor against Memphis, but a brutal -24 in the minutes he sat.
The Warriors are very similar with Curry, going -43 in the minutes that he sat against the Kings.
Ultimately, I have concerns about the Lakers’ shooting in this series to compete with Golden State. Does Los Angeles use Jarred Vanderbilt on Curry? Who does Darvin Ham turn to if D’Angelo Russell or Austin Reaves don’t have it going?
The Warriors, despite not showing it much against the Kings, may be a deeper team, and they have the bodies to defend the Lakers’ perimeter players with Andrew Wiggins, Donte DiVincenzo and Gary Payton II.
Davis may be able to change this series, but I’m concerned about Los Angeles’ shooting after the team ranked 11th in the playoffs in effective field goal percentage through the first round.
The defending champs win this series in seven games, in yet another Curry-James classic.
GS Warriors 4-3
+330
future
GS Warriors vs LA Lakers – Series – Exact Series Result
NBA • 2022-23 Futures
05/02 9:00 PM
Golden State Warriors
-145
future
GS Warriors vs LA Lakers – Series – Team To Advance
NBA • 2022-23 Futures
05/02 9:00 PM
Published on May 1, 2023 8:56 AM
•
Betslip #1682949373175-f9c6-800
—
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
