On Thursday, February 23rd, 2023, the Warriors and Lakers return from the All-Star break, and both teams are hungry for wins as they try to make a playoff push. Jordan Poole has been on a roll for Golden State, and our NBA betting site‘s expert predictions predict that he will continue.
Warriors vs. Lakers Preview
The Los Angeles Lakers enter the post-break schedule with a new-look lineup looking to get back into the Western Conference playoff picture.
On Thursday night, LeBron James and this revamped roster will face the reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors.
Golden State is in the hunt for a playoff spot, but is still without injured star Stephen Curry and may be without forward Andrew Wiggins, who is absent from the squad dealing with a personal matter.
We discuss the spread and Over/Under, as well as my best NBA picks and predictions for the Warriors vs. Lakers game on Thursday, February 23.
Warriors vs Lakers Game Info
| Date: | Thursday, February 23, 2023, 10 PM ET. |
| TV Coverage: | TNT |
| Location: | Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA |
Golden State Warriors vs Los Angeles Lakers Odds by BetOnline
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warriors | +5½ ( -110 ) | 238½ ( -110 ) | +180 |  |
| Lakers | -5½ ( -110 ) | 238½ ( -110 ) | -220 | |
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Betting on Golden State Warriors
The Warriors’ second-half surge is hampered by Curry’s absence, but the team enters the final phase of the season without Andrew Wiggins as well.
Wiggins did not practice Tuesday, and according to Golden State beat reporters, he is unlikely to suit up for Thursday’s road trip to Dreamland. Andrew Wiggins did not play in the final game before the break, a 134-124 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Donte DiVincenzo replaced him in the starting lineup, and backup point guard Jordan Poole played 33 minutes and attempted 20 field goals, finishing with 28 points.
Poole was also active in the Lakers’ previous meeting, going 11-for-25 from the field in 37 minutes of playing time and scoring 29 points in the Feb. 11 loss. His scoring prop for this rematch in Los Angeles is as short as 25.5 points, with several bookies still having Wiggins as a point favorite. If Wiggins is officially ruled out, Poole’s point total will certainly rise as he will play a larger part in the offense.
Jordan Poole has eclipsed his scoring prop in three of his last four games, averaging 27.3 points in that stretch, after a poor start to the month in which he performed under his point total in six straight games dating back to January 27.
OUR PREDICTION
Golden State will Win, Cover the Spread, and the Total will go Under.
Poole benefited from the up-and-down rhythm of the previous game against the Lakers. He scored 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting in the fourth quarter and will be expected on to carry the backcourt with Wiggins out, Curry out, and teammate guard Gary Payton Jr. out with an abdominal injury.
Since Curry’s injury, his floor time has increased, as have his field goal attempts, with totals of 20, 25, and 25 shots in three of his previous five games. Poole does not shrink in hostile territory, either, averaging 21.9 points on 44% shooting on the road, which is more than his performance at home.
Betting on Los Angeles Lakers
In terms of defense, the Lakers rank 27th in defensive efficiency to opposition guards per game, and the newcomers are still working out defense rotation on the perimeter.
As important as camaraderie is on attack, it is critical on defense whenever it comes to rotations and strongside help. Poole utilizes his inside-out game to capitalize on such mistakes and the ability to get all over the court in possession.
LeBron James departed the All-Star Game at half – time with a finger contusion on his right hand, although he did play the first half after injuring himself by banging his hand on the rim. James is currently labeled as a game-time decision, so that’s nothing unusual for Lakers fans.
Analysis of the Warriors vs. Lakers spread
These clubs met before the break, with Los Angeles winning 109-103 at San Fran on Feb. 11. With James out with an injured foot, the Warriors emerged as 3-point home favorites and were bet up to -5.5.
Los Angeles debuted newcomers D’Angelo Russell, Jarrett Vanderbilt, Malik Beasley, and Davon Reed in that win, and got their first look at new forward Mo Bamba in the penultimate game before the break against New Orleans. After 11 games as a Laker since being acquired at the end of January, forward Rui Hachimura is still being worked into the playbook.
Against the odds
The Warriors are averaging 118.6 points per game in the NBA 2022-23 season, although the Angeles are scoring 117 points per game.
This season, the Lakers are getting 1.2 points less per game than their opponents, while the Warriors are averaging 0.1 point more per game.
Over/Under
The Lakers have two players that average more over 20 points per game: LeBron James (30 points per game) and Anthony Davis (26 points per game).
The Warriors have three players averaging more than 20 points per game, with Steph Curry leading the way with 29.4 points per game, preceded by Klay Thompson (21.4) and Jordan Poole (21.4). (20.9).
