The Golden State Warriors (23-6) look to continue their eight-game winning streak against the Los Angeles Lakers (10-17) at Staples Center. The game starts at 10:30 p.m. ET on Monday, December 18, 2017, and will air on NBATV.
Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Prediction
The Warriors will be looking for a similar result after topping the Dallas Mavericks in their last outing, 112-97. Golden State had an effective field goal percentage of 0.673 (above their season average of 0.585). Dallas, meanwhile, did a fantastic job of converting from the charity stripe (13-17; 76.5 percent). With 36 points on 15-for-23 shooting, Kevin Durant was the game’s leading scorer.
The last time the Lakers played, they fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 121-112. Cleveland was effective at getting and making free throws. The Cavaliers made 20 of their 25 free throws (80.0 percent), while the Lakers were just 9-14 (64.3 percent). With 26 points on 10-for-15 shooting, Brandon Ingram was Los Angeles’ high scorer.
The inefficient offense of Los Angeles (28th in the league with an offensive efficiency of 100.9) will battle against the elite defense of Golden State (third in the league with a defensive efficiency of 102.2). The Warriors should have the edge on that end of the court.
Golden State comes into the contest with records of 23-6 straight up (SU) and 14-15 against the spread (ATS). Warriors games have finished over the total 51.7 percent of the time.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles owns records of 10-17 SU and 13-14 ATS. Unlike Golden State, just over half of Lakers games have finished under the O/U total.
Durant has averaged 28.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 2.2 blocks over the last five games for Golden State.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, the Lakers lost 127-123 but covered as 13.5-point underdogs. Ingram scored a game-high 32 points and also recorded five rebounds. The game finished with a total of 250 points, which was 21.5 points above the projected point total of 228.5 points. The Warriors had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (30.8 vs. 15.9) and had a better free throw rate (0.223 vs. 0.211).
Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Warriors, ATS Winner – Warriors, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Golden State is 8-8 ATS with 9 overs and 7 unders.
At home, Los Angeles is 7-6 ATS with 7 overs and 6 unders.
Golden State is 8-1 when they allow less than 100 points, while Los Angeles is 5-2.
The Lakers are 10-10 when they score over 100 points, while the Warriors are 22-4.
Golden State averages 8.5 blocks per game, which ranks first in the NBA. Los Angeles ranks 27th in blocks allowed per game (5.5).
The Lakers average 15.5 fast break points per game, which ranks second in the league. The Warriors rank 28th in fast break points allowed per game (13.7).
Los Angeles ranks first in points in the paint per game (54.5) while Golden State ranks 22nd in points allowed in the paint per game (45.7).
The Lakers rank eighth in second chance points per game (14.1) while the Warriors rank 27th (9.7).
Golden State ranks seventh in rebounds allowed per game (41.7) while Los Angeles ranks 26th (45.6).
The Warriors rank 10th in points off turnovers per game (18.1) while the Lakers rank 28th in points off turnovers allowed per game (19.6).
Golden State averages 8.5 steals per game, which ranks seventh in the league. Los Angeles ranks 22nd in steals allowed per game (8.4).
The Warriors average 30.8 assists per game, which ranks first in the NBA. The Lakers rank 15th in assists allowed per game (22.6).
Golden State ranks eighth in three pointers attempted per game (30.5) while Los Angeles ranks 19th in three pointers allowed per game (29.5).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Golden State is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Los Angeles is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Warriors’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 10.0, down from 11.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Lakers have scored an average of 106.6 points per game (0.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 111.0 points per game (1.7 above their season average).
