Mon, Mar 15, 2021
By Jim Vassallo (Veri.bet Writer)
The Golden State Warriors (20-19, 9th in the Western Conference) play host to the Los Angeles Lakers (25-13, 3rd in the Western Conference) on Monday, March 15 at 10 PM ET at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California.
Both teams are looking up at the Phoenix Suns in the Pacific Division standings, the Lakers by a half-game, and the Warriors by six games. Both teams are also coming off a win that snapped losing streaks.
The Warriors 131-119 win over the Utah Jazz on Sunday snapped a four-game skid, while the 105-100 win over the Indiana Pacers for the Lakers ended a brief two-game skid. These teams have played epic games over the past five-plus years and tonight might not be any different.
The Warriors are just 1-4 in their last five games played and 4-6 in their last 10 games. In their last 10 games, the Warriors have been outscored, on average, 115.4 to 110.5.
The Lakers have played to a 3-2 record in their last five games and are 4-6 in their last 10 games played. During the 10-game span, the Lakers have been outscored, on average, 107.1 to 106.5.
Both teams are dealing with serious injuries. The Warriors are without Marquese Chriss (leg) and Klay Thompson (right Achilles) for the remainder of the season.
The Lakers are without Alex Caruso out (concussion), Anthony Davis (Achilles), Marc Gasol, and Kostas Anteokounmpo. Gasol and Anteokounmp are out due to health and safety protocols related to COVID-19. Jared Dudley is likely done for the year after reportedly suffering a torn right MCL on Sunday.
Steph Curry is the leading scorer for the Warriors with 29.3 points per game, while LeBron James leads the Lakers with 25.6 points per game. Both stars have had their struggles this season and will look to get their respective team on the right track in the second half of the NBA season.
Tonight’s contest is the third and final of the regular season between the Warriors and Lakers and is the rubber match. The Warriors won the first meeting 115-113, while the Lakers took home the win in the second meeting 117-91.
We could be seeing a playoff preview in the Western Conference this evening when the Warriors host the Lakers.
The Lakers are the favorites in this third and final meeting with the Warriors, at -2.5 with the spread and -140 money line. The over-under is set at 224 total points. The Lakers are 13-5 on the road, while the Warriors are 13-6 at home, so something will have to give tonight.
The safe bet is to take James and the Lakers over Curry and the Warriors with the -140 money line. The -2.5 spread is too close to spend money on. Want to bet the over-under? Go with the Over 224 total points in this Western Conference clash as James and Curry look to have an impact on the outcome of this game.
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