Stephen Curry vs. LeBron James in the Play-In Tournament? Yes, please! We’re going to see this matchup Wednesday night, as the Golden State Warriors clash with the Los Angeles Lakers for the right to advance to the next phase of this mini-tourney. Check out our preview of this game below.
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Betting Preview for the Golden State Warriors vs Los Angeles Lakers NBA Play-In Tournament Game on May 19, 2021
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
When: Wednesday, May 19, 2021, 10:00 PM ET
Line: Golden State Warriors (+4.5) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (-4.5) – view all 2020-21 NBA lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Golden State Warriors (+4.5)
Regular Season Record: 39-33
The Warriors got hot at just the right time. They will enter the NBA Play-In Tournament riding a scorching six-game win streak after ending the regular season with a 113-101 home win over the Memphis Grizzlies last Sunday. The Warriors are undoubtedly going to rely a lot on the offense of this season’s scoring champion, Stephen Curry. The two-time NBA MVP finished the regular season with an average of 32.0 points per game on 48.2 percent shooting from the field and 42.1 percent from behind the arc. But Andrew Wiggins will also be vital for the Warriors against the Warriors, as he’ll be key in making Curry’s load lighter on offense. Over his last five games, Wiggins put up an average of 21.8 points on a 52.2 field goal percentage. The Warriors beat the Lakers at STAPLES Center back in January, 115-113, with Curry and Wiggins scoring 26 and 18 points, respectively.
The Warriors are 6-0 against the spread in their last six games overall.
Betting on the Los Angeles Lakers (-4.5)
Regular Season Record: 42-30
Like the Warriors, the Lakers are also on a nice undefeated run. Los Angeles has won all of its last five games. In the regular-season finale, the Lakers avoided getting upset by the New Orleans Pelicans in a 110-98 road win last Sunday. LeBron James showed his body is ready for another playoff grind, as he posted 25 points on 11-of-22 shooting from the floor. With James healthy and playing alongside Anthony Davis plus the just-returned Dennis Schroder, the Lakers will have all their top weapons for this important matchup against the Warriors. Perhaps the most important weapon for the Lakers that’s not being talked about as much is their defense. The Lakers finished the regular season second in the NBA with 106.8 points allowed per game and held the Warriors to only 44.8 percent shooting from the field in three matchups in the regular season.
The Lakers, who defeated Golden State in the last two meetings, have seen the total hit the under in four of their last five games against a team with a winning record.
Writer’s Prediction
The Lakers win, 119-113.
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