Lakers vs. Warriors Predictions: Game 2 for Western Conference Semifinals

The Los Angeles Lakers only hit six three-pointers in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series at defending NBA champion Golden State but beat the Warriors in their own gym anyway. Game 2 is back in San Francisco on Thursday with the Dubs as solid favorite on the NBA odds to tie it 1-1.

 

Lakers vs. Warriors, Game 2 | 2023 NBA Expert Analysis

 

How to Bet Los Angeles at Golden State NBA Odds & TV Info

When: Thursday, 9 PM ET
Where: Chase Center
TV: ESPN
Stream: ESPN+
Radio: Tunein.com
NBA Odds: Warriors -5.5 (total 227.5)

 

Why Bet on LA Lakers?

The Lakers took Game 1 by a score of 117-112. Los Angeles dominated at the free throw line, shooting 25-29 from the stripe, while the Warriors attempted just six such shots on the night. The Lakers also held the home team to just 40.6 percent shooting from the field and outscored the Warriors by 26 points in the paint.

Anthony Davis became the first Lakers player since Shaquille O’Neal to have a postseason 30-20 game as he finished with 30 points, 23 rebounds, five assists and four blocks in 44 minutes. Davis was just the fifth Lakers player to do so in the playoffs overall, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain and O’Neal. Davis joined Tim Duncan (2003) as the only players in NBA history to have a game with 30+ points, 20+ rebounds, 5+ assists and 4+ blocks.

Davis was effective in all aspects of the game. His teammates shot 5-for-5 off his feeds. And the Warriors went 4-for-17 on shots that Davis contested.

“The Lakers franchise over the years, over the course of their existence, has always had dominant big men, dominant guys that have been a force at the rim,” LeBron said of AD. “That’s why their jerseys are in the rafters. AD will be up there when he’s done playing. The No. 3 will be up in the rafters. He continues to show why he’s one of the best players that we have in this league.”

Kevon Looney spent most of the game guarding AD, though Draymond Green seemed to be more effective on Davis to close the game. LeBron James also tallied a double-double with 22 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three blocks.

Dennis Schroder led the bench with 19 points, two rebounds, three assists and one steal. Schroder iced the game with two late free throws to give the Lakers a 5-point lead with 2.7 seconds remaining. D’Angelo Russell had 19 points, three rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block. Russell led the team with six assists and is currently averaging 17.0 points, 5.9 assists and 3.6 rebounds in 31.3 minutes across seven postseason contests thus far.

The Lakers became the first team since the Bucks in 2018 to have consecutive postseason games within a single playoffs with at least 10 blocks. Tuesday was the fourth time this postseason that a Lakers opponent has shot less than 41 percent from the field. The Lakers have held their opponent under 50 percent from the field in all seven playoff games thus far.

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MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game

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Why Bet on Golden State?

The Warriors were dominant at home in the regular season but have now lost back-to-back home games in the playoffs after also dropping Game 6 in Round 1 to Sacramento. The Lakers led by 14, 112-98, with 5:58 left in the fourth quarter Tuesday, but the Warriors went on a 14-0 run to tie the score at 112-all with 1:38 remaining.

D’Angelo Russell made a layup to put the Lakers ahead for good, 114-112, with 1:24 left. James split a pair of free throw attempts for a 115-112 Lakers advantage at the 1:05 mark. Jordan Poole missed a 3-point attempt with 9.7 seconds left and Dennis Schroder made two free throws to seal the win.

The Warriors tied their playoff franchise records for most 3-pointers made (21) and attempted (53). Golden State recorded 30 assists and eight turnovers. Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 27 points, Klay Thompson scored 25 points and Poole led all reserves with 21 points. Andrew Wiggins added 15 points.

After a poor shooting series against the Sacramento Kings that saw Poole managed just 29.1% from the floor and 25.9% from 3 — and never hitting more than eight field goals in a game — his finding a rhythm against Los Angeles was a positive sign for Golden State despite that late miss.

Kevon Looney recorded his second double-double of the postseason with 10 points and 23 rebounds, the most rebounds he’s ever grabbed in a regular season or playoff game. It was Looney’s fourth 20-rebound game, the most for a Warrior in a single postseason since Nate Thurmond had 13 in 1967. Looney is averaging 16.1 rebounds per game, leading all players in the 2023 NBA Playoffs. Among playoff league leaders, Looney ranks first in total rebounds (129) and offensive rebounds (44).

The Warriors have a 32-11 record (.744) after a playoff loss since 2013, the highest winning percentage in that span. Since 2015, the Warriors are 26-9 (.743) following a playoff loss.

Golden State coach Steve Kerr is one win shy of tying Jerry Sloan (98) for the eighth-most playoff coaching wins and three wins away from reaching 100 coaching victories in the playoffs.

Bet Warriors to Win Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game

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Game Trends

• Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
• Lakers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 Thursday games.
• Warriors are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up loss.
• Warriors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
• Lakers are 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Golden State.
• Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Golden State.

 

Expert Prediction

Warriors 117, Lakers 112

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