LA Lakers vs Golden State Warriors Prediction and Betting Tips | Jan. 25, 2025 

On Saturday at Chase Center, the LA Lakers and Golden State Warriors go head-to-head for the second time this season. The Lakers emerged victorious in their previous matchup on Christmas Day. Austin Reaves punished a defensive miscue from Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga to hit the game-winner with 1.1 seconds left.

It was arguably the best game of the year after storied rivals LeBron James and Steph Curry put on a show to prove to the NBA that they are still the main draws on Christmas regardless of their teams' records. James finished the night with 31 points and 10 assists on 12 of 22 shots, while Curry had 38 points and six assists on 14 of 24 shots, including eight 3s.

The Lakers and Warriors' past few matchups have all been close, and it won't be a surprise to see if this marquee showdown produces another memorable game.

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LA Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors Prediction, Odds and Betting Tips

Money line: Lakers -119, Warriors +100

Spread: Lakers -1.5 (-108), Warriors +1.5 (-112)

Total over/under: Lakers o219 (-108), Warriors u219 (-112)

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LA Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors Preview

The Lakers enter this clash with a 24-18 record. They are fifth in the West, beating the odds despite their extreme highs and lows. The Lakers have four wins in their past five outings, so they are trending in the right direction. A 117-96 win over the defending champions, the Boston Celtics, their biggest rivals, has bolstered the team's confidence.

Over this past five-game stretch, the Lakers have posted the fourth-best rating across the league (+9.1). They rank 14th offensively with a 115.8 rating and fifth defensively with a 106.7 rating, making it their best stretch of the season in terms of analytics, too.

On the other hand, the Warriors have yet to rediscover their early-season form, which resulted in a 12-3 start. They have dropped to 22-22. Golden State is 11th in the West, flirting with another play-in finish in the regular season. Akin to the Lakers, the Warriors also have a few things going their way in their past five games. They are on a 3-2 stretch.

After consecutive losses against the Boston Celtics (125-85) and Sacramento Kings (123-117), the Dubs bounced back with a 131-106 win against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday. Steph Curry and Co. seemingly looked like the early-season Warriors after a second-half blitz saw them outscore their counterparts 68-42.

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LA Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors Predicted Starting 5s

LA Lakers

The Lakers will be without sophomore Jalen Hood-Schifino, not part of the team's plans, and Christian Wood, who has yet to make his season debut and Rui Hachimura (calf) are out. Hachimura was a late addition to the injury report.

The biggest update for the Lakers is that Jarred Vanderbilt will make his season debut, as he's off the injury report for the first time.

Here's the Lakers' predicted starting lineup:

PG - Austin Reaves, SG - Max Christie, SF - Dorian Finney-Smith, PF - LeBron James, C - Anthony Davis

Golden State Warriors

The Warriors remain without Draymond Green and Jonathan Kuminga. All the other rotation players are available.

Here's the Warriors predicted starting lineup:

PG - Stephen Curry, SG - Buddy Hield, SF - Andrew Wiggins, PF - Gary Payton II, C - Trayce Jackson-Davis

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LA Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors Betting Tips

Steph Curry is -125 to score under 25.5 points. Averaging 22.6 ppg on the season, Curry hasn't scored 25 or more in his past three outings. He's -118 to make under 4.5 3s.

LeBron James is -125 to score over 22.5 points. He's scored 23.6 ppg on the season and 24.2 ppg over his past 10 outings. James is -136 to dish under 8.5 assists.

Anthony Davis is -135 to record under 12.5 rebounds. He's averaging 11.8 on the season and 12.8 over his past eight outings.

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LA Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors Prediction

The LA Lakers are marginal favorites to beat the Golden State Warriors for the second consecutive time at the Chase Center. The oddsmakers favor them at -1.5 with a -119 money line. The Lakers have stepped up in these rivalry games, as seen in Thursday's clash against the Celtics.

On the other hand, the Warriors have shown extra intensity in their matchups against the Lakers, so it could be a close contest, as the odds suggest.

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