On the first day following the All-Star break, the NBA is giving us a ten-game slate on Thursday, February 23, and here you can get the best Warriors vs. Lakers betting pick and odds.

Golden State is hoping to go over .500 when they visit Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena. The Lakers are -4.5 favorites on Jazz Sportsbook, while the total is set at 238.5 points. These Pacific Division rivals will meet for the third time this year, the series is tied at 1-1.

Warriors’ defense suffered against the Clippers

The Golden State Warriors (29-29, 26-30-2 ATS) lost five of the previous eight games, and in their most recent defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers on the road, the defense was the biggest problem. The Warriors lost 134-124 after allowing 44 points in the third quarter, and although the offense played well, as usual, this team is not as tough as the last year. Golden State shot 54.2% from the field and 44.1% from downtown, but did commit three more turnovers than the hosts (11-8).

Jordan Poole led the Warriors with 28 points and six assists. Klay Thompson scored 18, Jonathan Kuminga added 16 points and five rebounds, Draymond Green contributed 15 points, team-high seven dishes, and five boards, while Kevon Looney recorded a double-double of 11 points and game-high 11 rebounds.

PG Stephen Curry (leg), SF Andre Iguodala (hip), and SG Gary Payton II (abdominal) are out indefinitely. SF Andrew Wiggins sat out the previous game with a personal issue, and it is not predicted that he will suit up for Thursday’s clash in Los Angeles.

Lakers didn’t have problems with the Pelicans in L.A.

The Los Angeles Lakers (27-32, 27-31-1 ATS) lost four of the last six games, but they did get revenge for the loss against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Lakers suffered a tight defeat to the Pels in early February and answered with a 120-102 home victory. It was one of their best defensive displays this year; the Lakers limited the Pelicans to 43.8% from the floor and allowed seven three-pointers, scoring 11 on the other end. The Lakers registered 32 assists opposite New Orleans’ 24 and forced 15 turnovers while making ten in return.

Anthony Davis led the Lakers with a double-double of a game-high 28 points and team-high ten rebounds, along with five assists and two blocks. LeBron James had 21 points, six boards, and six dishes, D’Angelo Russell contributed 21 points and team-high seven dimes, while Dennis Schroder scored ten points.

SF LeBron James exited the All-Star match with a right-hand contusion, and it has yet to be confirmed if he will be available Thursday against the Warriors.

Trends:

Golden State:

  • 2-5-1 ATS in the last eight games overall
  • 0-3-1 ATS in the last four road games
  • 2-5 ATS in the last seven games after allowing more than 125 points in their previous game

Los Angeles:

N/A

Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers Pick

The Warriors are already playing without Stephen Curry, and now Andrew Wiggins is out, so Jordan Poole and Klay Thompson will lead them on offense. Although the Warriors’ offense is the second-best in the NBA as it averages 118.6 points per game, I believe the Lakers can outscore Golden State without two of its top four offensive weapons. The Lakers also have a high-flying offense that scores 117.0 ppg, and even if they play without James, I am sure, AD, D-Lo, Schroder, and co. will beat the Warriors, who lost each of their previous four games on the road.

Pick: Take the Lakers at -2.5 (-133)

The Total

The Lakers scored 109 points in each of the two H2Hs this year. I am backing them to score much more than that on Thursday, considering the Warriors allowed 125+ points in three of their last four games. On the other hand, Los Angeles scored 120+ in three of its last six. Golden State conceded 118+ points in the previous nine road games, so I am pretty sure we will have a classic shootout here. These two teams have the two fastest offenses, which means we will have a lot of bred possessions with plenty of shots on each end. Over is 5-1 in the last six H2H meetings; Over is 15-5-1 in the Warriors’ previous 21 overall, while Over is 10-4 in the Lakers’ last 14 games following a straight-up win of more than ten points.

Pick: Go Over 235.5 points (-130)