Winners of four of the past six NBA titles will meet when the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors pair up in a Western Conference semifinal.
Game 3 of the best-of-seven series will be Saturday in Los Angeles.
Steph Curry and the defending champion Warriors have won three of the past six and four of the past eight NBA titles.
LeBron James led the Lakers to the title in 2020, the franchise’s 17th championship, to go with the NBA titles he won with other teams (Miami in 2012, 2013; Cleveland in 2016).
The Lakers own a 6-1 edge over the Warriors in playoff matchups, most recently when Los Angeles advanced in five games in the 1991 Western Conference semifinals.
Here’s a look at the series from a betting perspective and an expert’s pick, with odds at FOX Bet:
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Lakers at Warriors, 8:30 p.m. ET Saturday, ABC (series tied 1-1)
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Point spread: Lakers -3 (Lakers favored to win by more than 3 points, otherwise Warriors cover)
Moneyline: Lakers -162 favorites to win (bet $10 to win $16.17 total); Warriors +115 underdogs to win (bet $10 to win $21.50 total)
Total scoring over/under: 227.5 points scored by both teams combined
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Pick for Game 1 via FOX Sports Betting Analyst Jason McIntyre:
The Warriors want to shoot 3s. I do wonder if the Warriors will need to play Kevon Looney and Draymond Green together a lot because if they go small with Draymond at center on Anthony Davis, Andrew Wiggins might struggle with LeBron and the Lakers will dominate the glass.
As much as I like Austin Reaves, it’s one thing to chase around [Memphis‘] Desmond Bane; it’s another to try and follow Stephen Curry. I’m not sure Jarred Vanderbilt is a great fit on Curry, and there isn’t anyone on the bench other than maybe Dennis Schröder who is capable of that assignment.
The Lakers will have two extra days of rest, and the Warriors are coming off an exhausting seven-game series. A Warriors’ letdown wouldn’t surprise me.
But it’s difficult to pick against the Warriors in the series. And with only one day in between every game in the series — albeit intrastate travel — you’ve got to wonder how LeBron will hold up if he has to shoulder a heavy offensive load.
If you’re looking for a buy-low player to target in the prop market, Jordan Poole has to be the guy. He was dreadful against the Kings, shooting 33% from the field and just 25% from deep. He’ll be targeted by LeBron when he’s on the floor, but Poole is electric offensively and should be able to have his way with D’Angelo Russell.
PICK: Jordan Poole Over 12.5 points scored in Game 1 (-105 at FOX Bet, bet $10 to win $19.52 total) (win, 21 points)
Here is the schedule and scores for the series (all times ET):
Game 1: Lakers 117, Warriors 112
Game 2: Warriors 127, Lakers 100
Game 3: Warriors at Lakers, 8:30 p.m. Saturday, ABC
Game 4: Warriors at Lakers, 10 p.m. Monday, TNT
Game 5: Lakers at Warriors, 10 p.m. Wednesday, TNT
Game 6: Warriors at Lakers, TBD May 12, ESPN *
Game 7: Lakers at Warriors, TBD May 14, TV TBD *
* = if necessary
Regular-season results
Oct. 18: Warriors 123, Lakers 109
Feb. 11: Lakers 109, Warriors 103
Feb. 23: Lakers 124, Warriors 111
March 5: Lakers 113, Warriors 105
So, are you throwing some money on the NBA playoffs? Get your bets in at FOX Bet!
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