The Golden State Warriors play host to the Los Angeles Lakers at the Chase Center on Christmas Day. Here’s a Golden State Warriors vs LA Lakers Prediction. This article will include a Golden State Warriors vs LA Lakers Pick.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers have been in decent shape as they’ve won four of their last six games overall, but they will be hoping to bounce back here after having their three-game win streak halted by the Pistons in a 117-114 loss on Monday. LeBron James led the team with a triple-double of 28 points with 11 rebounds and 11 assists, Anthony Davis added 19 points with 10 rebounds and six assists while Max Christie chipped in with 17 points on six of 10 shooting.
As a team, the Lakers shot 54 percent from the field and 14 of 30 from the 3-point line as they hit the ground running with 64 points in the first half to jump out in front and lead for most of the game until the Pistons went on a pivotal 9-2 run in the fourth quarter to start to slip away. The Lakers will meet the Cavs, Trail Blazers, Hawks, and 76ers next.
Golden State Warriors
Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors have been in terrible shape as they’ve won 10 of their last 13 games overall and they will be looking for a better result after coming up just short of the Pacers in a 111-105 loss on Monday. Jonathan Kuminga led the team with 26 points, eight rebounds, and four assists on nine of 16 shooting off the bench, Andrew Wiggins added 16 points while Trayce Jackson-Davis chipped in with 13 points with eight rebounds and three assists.
As a team, the Warriors shot 43 percent from the field and 12 of 38 from the 3-point line as they worked hard to erase a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter, only to go cold and score just eight points in the final 5:06 to allow the Pacers off the hook in the end. Stephen Curry had a rough game as he shot just two of 13 to finish with just 10 points. The Warriors play the Clippers, Suns, and Cavs next
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The underdogs have won each of the Lakers’ last four games.
- The Warriors have lost four of their last five games as favorites.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in each of the Lakers’ last four games.
- The Warriors have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games against Pacific Division opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Lakers’ last 11 games against Western Conference opponents has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Warriors’ last five Christmas Day home games has gone UNDER the total points line.
Golden State Warriors Player Facts
- Stephen Curry ranks 1st in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for FT% (92.1%) this season.
- Buddy Hield ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for three-pointers made per 36 minutes (4.8) this season.
Los Angeles Lakers Player Facts
- Anthony Davis ranks 2nd in the league for points in the paint (426) this season.
- LeBron James ranks 1st amongst qualified Forwards for assists per game (9.0) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Warriors rank 30th in the league for free throw percentage this season (70.5%).
- The Warriors rank 1st in the league for Q3 points per game this season (31.6).
- The Lakers rank 1st in the league for free throws made per game this season (18.8).
- The Lakers rank 2nd in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (4.0).
Golden State Warriors vs LA Lakers Prediction
The Lakers are still missing Jaxson Hayes and D’Angelo Russell, while the Warriors are still missing Gary Payton. The Lakers were building some momentum before they got stopped in their tracks by the Pistons in a tough loss on Monday, while the Warriors continued their terrible run with a tough defeat to the Pacers on Monday. I can easily see this game being the one that drags the Warriors out of the funk they’ve been in, but the Lakers have been the more reliable team lately and I think they represent decent value as the underdogs in this spot.