Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors Betting Preview/Prop Picks
18 October 2022
Time: 10:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: LA Lakers 123.905; Golden State 120.730
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Lakers by 3; 207
Vegas Line & Total: Golden State by 6 ½; 225
Dunkel Pick: LA Lakers (+6 ½); Under
The 2022-23 NBA season is set to begin on Tuesday night, and there are a pair of great games scheduled. The late game features the Golden State Warriors hosting the Los Angeles Lakers in a big Western Conference showdown.
This season opener will be big for the Lakers as they missed out on the playoffs completely a season ago. Los Angeles made some moves this offseason, but they still have the same basic core ready to lead the way.
Golden State will be raising a banner on Tuesday night as they won the NBA championship at the conclusion of the 2021-22 season. The Warriors spent a ton of money this offseason as they look to run it back in 2022-23.
The Golden State Warriors are 6.5-point betting favorites in this matchup.
LeBron Ready to Lead Lakers
LeBron James is back for another season, and he doesn't appear as if he has lost anything at his age. LeBron averaged over 30 points per game a season ago, and he will be trying to make a statement on Tuesday night.
Russell Westbrook will be coming off of the bench to begin the year, and he will try to lead the second unit for the Lakers. Westbrook is still a player that is capable of recording a triple-double, even with a reduced role.
Defense has been one area of weakness for this team, and the Lakers are going to be tested in a big way to begin the year. The Lakers don't have the offense to try to keep up with the explosive Warriors.
Warriors Winning With Depth
Stephen Curry is still capable of scoring over 30 points in any given game, and Klay Thompson is still one of the best players in the league. Golden State won the title a season ago, though, because of the depth, and that will be on full display in this game.
Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole were both given big contract extensions this offseason, and they should average close to 20 points per game this season. Golden State will have to shoot the ball well to win, but they just have so many weapons to throw at an opponent.
The Warriors should be able to throw a bunch of different defenders at LeBron as well, and they can make life tough for the Lakers' offense.
Lakers Spoil Warriors Party
Golden State is going to go on and have a much better year than Los Angeles, but anything can happen in one game. The Warriors are definitely going to be distracted in this matchup, and they could get off to a slow start.
LeBron James and the Lakers spent the entire offseason hearing about how they struggled a season ago, and they will be on a mission in this game. This should be a game that comes down to the wire, but it will be the Lakers that make the clutch plays on the road.
Bet the Los Angeles Lakers moneyline as they go into Golden State and upset the Warriors to begin the 2022-23 season.
Prop Picks
LA Lakers (-115) UNDER 108.5 Points
Golden State allowed 105.8 points per game on defense last season, which ranked No. 4 in the NBA. That average decreased to 103.0 points per game at home. Scores have gone UNDER in four of the Warriors’ last five games overall.
With Dunkel predicting an LA win by the score of 105-102, take the Lakers (-115) to finish UNDER their Vegas team total of 108.5 points versus the Warriors.
Kevon Looney (-125) UNDER 5.5 Points
Looney averaged 6.0 points per game in 82 games played last season. That average decreased to 3.5 points per game in 4 games played against the Lakers.
With Dunkel predicting the final score staying UNDER the Vegas total, take Looney (-125) to finish UNDER 5.5 points against the Lakers.
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