[sc:NBA250 ]Now that was a shock. The Golden State Warriors absorbed just their third defeat this season with a heart-breaking two-point loss to the Denver Nuggets. Stephen Curry scored 38 points for the defending champions, but it was still not enough to deny the Nuggets a superb victory.
The Warriors will look to get their season back on track when they host the Los Angeles Lakers later tonight. Who will emerge victorious in this Western Conference clash? Read on below for an in-depth breakdown of this intriguing matchup and while you’re at it, you can check out our previews of Toronto vs. Orlando and Cleveland vs. San Antonio.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors Preview
Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland
When: Thursday, January 14, 10:30 PM ET
Line: Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: TNT
Betting on the Los Angeles Lakers (9-31)
The Los Angeles Lakers finally snapped their four-game losing skid with a thrilling 95-91 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. Lou Williams scored nine of his 19 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Lakers to just their ninth win of the season.
[sc:NBA240banner ]Things are bound to get tougher for the Lakers, though, as standing in their way tonight are the Golden State Warriors. The defending champions are 18-0 at Oracle Arena this season and have not lost a home game since January 27, 2015. To make matters worse for the Lakers, the Warriors are the highest-scoring team in the NBA, averaging a whopping 114.3 points per game this season.
Stopping the Warriors will be doubly harder for the Lakers with injuries ravaging their squad as we speak. Kobe Bryant is a major doubt for tonight’s ballgame, with the five-time NBA champion nursing a strained right Achilles tendon. With Bryant’s participation in question, the onus is on Jordan Clarkson and D’Angelo Russell to lead the charge for the Lakers. They combined for 31 points in that win over the Pelicans.
For Los Angeles to pull off the victory, though, it needs to find a way to stop Klay Thompson. He’s averaging 23.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in two meetings with the Lakers this season. He has been on fire for Golden State this season in general as well, averaging 21 points per game this campaign.
The Lakers are 6-4 ATS in their last 10 road games.
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Betting on the Golden State Warriors (36-3)
The Golden State Warriors had their seven-game winning streak snapped on Wednesday with a gut-wrenching 112-110 loss to the Denver Nuggets. It was a disappointing defeat for the league-leading Warriors, who overcame an 11-point deficit late in the fourth quarter only to fall short against the Nuggets in the end.
The Warriors will look to return to winning ways tonight when they face the Los Angeles Lakers. Help is on the way for the defending champions, as Draymond Green is set to return to the starting lineup. He was sorely missed in Golden State’s loss to Denver on Monday as the Warriors looked to be a shadow of their usually joyful selves.
It wasn’t just Green’s edge and attitude that the Warriors missed in last night’s ballgame, but also the monster numbers that he regularly provided this season. Green has been sensational for the Warriors this campaign, averaging 15.2 points, 9.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists.
Apart from the return of Green, defense will also play a key part in Golden State’s victory bid tonight. The Warriors are second in the league in field goal percentage defense this season, with their opponents shooting a lowly 42.6 percent clip against them. They displayed that defensive prowess in their last meeting with the Lakers on January 5, holding Los Angeles to just 31.7 percent shooting in a 109-88 rout.
The Warriors are 5-5 ATS in their last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Golden State wins, 125-104.
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