The Golden State Warriors missed a golden opportunity to retake the best record in the NBA, losing on the same night as the Houston Rockets last week. They lost again to the Timberwolves on Sunday and now sit two losses behind Houston coming down the stretch in the race for home court advantage throughout the postseason.
The Warriors should have little problem picking up a win next time out when they host the Los Angeles Lakers. Even though Los Angeles has played decently of late it is going on the road against a dominant opponent. The more realistic scenario is covering the NBA basketball spread in which the Lakers should get plenty of points.
Golden State doesn’t necessarily need home court throughout the postseason to win another championship, but it would be a nice carrot to have entering the playoffs.
Don't miss the hardwood action from Oracle Arena at 10:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 14, 2018. Catch every moment of the game live on ESPN.
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Odds Analysis
The Lakers are 29-36 straight up and 35-30 against the spread. Los Angeles has covered in 18 of 34 attempts on the road this season. The Lakers are 26-25 against the spread as the underdog.
The Warriors are 51-16 straight up and 28-38-1 against the spread. They have gone 14-18-1 against the spread as the home team this season. Golden State has been favored in every single game this season and will be a heavy favorite once again in this showdown. The Warriors will aim to get off to a quick start, which is something to watch in the NBA basketball first half odds.
Injury Report
Golden State superstar point guard Stephen Curry has missed the past two games after spraining his ankle in the first quarter against the Spurs. The Warriors were able to win that game but then lost to the Portland Trail Blazers, which snapped a long winning streak, and the Timberwolves.
Keep a close eye on Curry’s status, as his presence would tilt the spread higher in Golden State’s favor. Curry is having another fantastic season, averaging 26.3 points, 6.2 assists and 5.1 rebounds per contest. He is shooting 49.4 percent from the field and 42.4 percent from three-point range.
Curry has a history of ankle injuries so this is a little worrisome, but the injury does not seem major. The Warriors will likely be cautious in bringing Curry back so that he is healthy for the playoffs. The odds seem more likely than not he doesn’t play in this game, but make sure that is the case as the game draws closer.
Player To Watch
Lonzo Ball -- The Lakers’ rookie point guard began the season shooting very poorly from the field, and while he still isn’t super efficient, those percentages have improved. He has put up some decent all-around statistics this season, averaging 10.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists.
Ball is shooting only 37.1 percent from the field and 33.1 percent from three-point range. He gave a glimpse of his potential in a recent upset win over the Spurs. In that game, Ball put up 18 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds while hitting 6-of-10 from three-point range.
Ball has scored in double digits in each of his past four games and is beginning to show why he was chosen No. 2 overall. If Ball can shoot well from the floor it could be enough to help the Lakers cover the NBA basketball point spread.
Free NBA ATS Picks
With or without Curry, Golden State should be able to dominate this game. The Lakers are definitely improving, but the Warriors have an underrated defense which should be able to key on Isaiah Thomas and make the young Lakers beat them.
Take Golden State to shoot extremely well from the field. Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson should both have big games to lift the Warriors to a blowout victory on the NBA basketball betting lines.
NBA Odds: Warriors 123, Lakers 110
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