We are in for a blockbuster matchup in the NBA this Sunday when the Los Angeles Lakers will head to the Chase Center in California to take on the Golden State Warriors.
The Warriors are 22-22 for the season and in 11th place in the Western Conference coming into this match, while the Lakers have a record of 24-18, fifth in the standings.
Match preview
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The Golden State Warriors have been in a slump lately, 4-6 across their last 10 games, but they will be hoping to start rebuilding momentum after thrashing the Chicago Bulls 131-106 on Friday morning.
Stephen Curry led the team with 21 points and seven assists, while Andrew Wiggins scored 17 points and seven rebounds, but the difference in the game came from the Warriors' bench, with Quinten Post and Gui Santos combining for 39 points.
Post (20 points, five three-pointers) and Santos (19 points, five three-pointers) both delivered career highs in points and made threes, while Golden State's bench was responsible for 18 of the team's 25 converted three-pointers in the blowout victory.
Overall, Steve Kerr's side's performance was a massive improvement compared to the first leg of the back-to-back against the Kings, when they lost control of the game in the second half, committing eight turnovers and getting outscored by 17 points in the third quarter alone.
With that result, the Warriors are 21-22-1 ATS for the season, averaging 111.4 points per game (17th in the league), but they are back inside the top 10 for points against, allowing 111.3 PPG.
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Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers will arrive in California feeling very good about themselves, having notched up their fourth win in five by dispatching the Boston Celtics 117-96 at home on Friday.
LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves combined for 67 points and 15 assists, while Gabe Vincent and Dalton Knect came off the bench to add 13 and 12 points in 26 and 14 minutes respectively.
Most onlookers from a neutral perspective would likely agree that Los Angeles looked like the best version of themselves as they dismantled the C's, stifling Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who managed just 16 and 17 points respectively.
JJ Redick's side is now six games above .500 at 24-18, which ties the most games above .500 they have been this season, but it is worth noting that they are on a three-game slide on the road coming into this one.
The Lakers are now an even 21-21-0 ATS for the season, and mid-table on both ends of the court, 18th for points scored per game (111.4 PPG) and 14th in terms of points allowed (112.8 PPG).
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Team News
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The Warriors are expected to remain without Draymond Green for a few more games, with the team's defensive leader out since last Saturday when he sustained a left calf strain in the victory over the Wizards.
Jonathan Kuminga (right ankle sprain) and Kyle Anderson (left gluteal bursitis) are also likely to miss this match due to injury, while Trayce Jackson-Davis, Lindy Waters III, Moses Moody and Gary Payton II are questionable.
As for the Lakers, reports in the lead-up to this match have suggested that Jarred Vanderbilt is expected to make his season debut against the Warriors. The forward has not played since sustaining an injury in December 2023.
Jalen Hood-Schifino and Christian Wood are ruled out for the match owing to a hamstring and knee injury respectively, while Drew Peterson and Anton Watson are on G League assignments.
Golden State Warriors possible starting five:
Wiggins, Podziemski, Looney, Curry, Schroder
Los Angeles Lakers possible starting five:
James, Hachimura, Davis, Reaves, Christie
We say: Golden State Warriors to win by 2+ points
When these two met on Boxing Day, the Lakers came out on top by two points and have been the better side overall since. However, they have lost three on the road ahead of this match, with the last two being by double-digit deficits.
The Warriors have been tough to get behind in the New Year due to their inconsistencies, but they just produced arguably their best performance in several weeks against the Bulls, and we feel they may be able to carry that momentum into this match and edge the result in a close contest.
Devesh Jaganath
