Golden State Warriors vs Los Angeles Lakers: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

What: Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers

Where: Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA

When: Thursday, April 4th at 10:30 PM EST

How (TV/Radio): TNT | 95.7 The Game and 710 AM ESPN / 1330 AM ESPN DEPORTES

Golden State Warriors (Away)

Head Coach: Steve Kerr {All-Time 318-87 | GSW}

Projected Starting Five: (G) Stephen Curry – (G) Klay Thompson – (F) Kevin Durant – (F) Draymond Green – (C) DeMarcus Cousins

With five games left in the season, the Warriors have the chance to lock up first in the Western Conference with another three wins – to go with two Denver losses. With a record of 53-24, the Warriors hold a comfortable two-game lead over the rival Denver Nuggets.

The Warriors have done their best to close the season. Now that the roster is healthy – save for Damian Jones – the Warriors have been performing excellently. In their last ten matches, the Warriors are 7-3 and have taken care of the West’s best in the Nuggets and Rockets. They will get some slight reprieve in the Los Angeles Lakers

While the Lakers are not as talented a team as the Warriors at this point in the season, the Lakers have some dangerous young talent on their roster. Alex Caruso and Moritz Wagner have done their best to be relevant going into this late stretch. The Warriors will need to keep their youthful exuberance in check.

Los Angeles Lakers (Home)

Head Coach: Luke Walton {All-Time 96-146 | LAL}

Projected Starting Five: (G) Rajon Rondo – (G) Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, (G) Lance Stephenson – (F) Moritz Wagner – (C) Javale McGee

The 2019 Western Conference Playoffs are set, but the Los Angeles Lakers will not be participating. At this point in the season, it is about ping-pong balls not wins for the Lakers. With a record of 35-43, the Lakers are tenth in the West behind their rivals the Sacramento Kings.

The Los Angeles Lakers have shut down the majority of their roster and are now testing their auxiliary units for future value. Their production has netted them a 4-6 record in their last ten but has provided some impressive wins over the Hornets and Pelicans in recent matches.

To be frank, there isn’t much to hope for when the Lakers face the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors are on a roll but are yet to entirely lock up pole position in the Western Conference. Youthful energy will be on display for Los Angeles, but it will be on-court production that will decide the result.

What’s At Stake?

The Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers have been state rivals for a long time. In the 419 regular season meetings, the Lakers lead the Warriors 252-167.

A win for the Golden State Warriors would give them a 2.5 game lead over the Nuggets who trail them in second.

A win for the Los Angeles Lakers would keep them in tenth place in the West.

Questions to answer

Is there any reason to worry for the Warriors?

Is Luke Walton in the hot seat?

We are going to compare the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers in an attempt to see who has the advantage in this matchup.

Golden State Are The Clear Favourite

The Warriors left no questions regarding who are the top team in the Western Conference as they handled the Denver Nuggets with ease. They are led by two-time MVP – and apparent astigmatism victim – Stephen Curry. As they head into this match against the Lakers, they will only reinforce their strength going into the postseason.

The Warriors are averaging 117.7 (2nd) points per game, allowing only 111.4 (16th) points per game, and are first overall in offensive rating at 116.0. They are the most dangerous offensive team in the league, only being defeated by acts of absolute brilliance or their own complacency.

The Warriors are not out of the woods yet, as the Nuggets can still mathematically take first in the Western Conference from them. The Lakers are full of young, hungry players with something to prove going into an uncertain off-season. It is a classic trap game for the Warriors, they will need their focus to not be taken advantage of by the fast-paced Lakers.

Walton May Be Coaching His Last Games for the Lakers

Luke Walton has done an admirable job coaching the Los Angeles Lakers. Unfortunately for him, that hasn’t translated into wins for the storied franchise. Based on the assets he was given, his performance can’t be criticized too heavily. But for a LeBron James-led team, not making the playoffs is a hard thing to overcome.

When asked about Luke Walton, owner Jeannie Buss said:

”He is somebody I think who doesn’t even realize what a natural he is and that leadership that he has in terms of getting people connecting with people and all ages. And I think he’s done a terrific job.”

It is clear that Luke Walton is a well-respected individual. Unfortunately, he has been on the wrong end of too many poor results. He will have to show his worth with this young Lakers squad to close the season. While he hasn’t had any success with developing sides, his results in these final matches will be a clear indicator of his worth going forward.

Golden State Warriors Roster Notes

C Damian Jones – 8 Mar 2019 – Out (Torn Left Pectoral) – Head coach Steve Kerr said it’s doubtful that Jones returns during the playoffs, according to a report from Anthony Slater of The Athletic.

Los Angeles Lakers Roster Notes

G Lonzo Ball – 9 Mar 2019 – Out (Left Ankle) – Ball has been shut down for the remainder of the season, according to Shams Charania of the Athletic.

C Tyson Chandler – 1 Apr 2019 – Day To Day (Illness) – Chandler has been ruled OUT for Tuesday’s (April 2) game.

G Josh Hart – 28 Mar 2019 – Out For Season (Knee) – Hart underwent a procedure on his patellar tendon and is expected to miss the rest of the season.

F Brandon Ingram – 9 Mar 2019 – Out For Season (Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT)) – The Lakers announced F Brandon Ingram will likely miss the rest of the season.

F LeBron James – 30 Mar 2019 – Out For Season (Groin) – The Lakers announced F LeBron James will miss the remainder of the season.

F Kyle Kuzma – 2 Apr 2019 – Day To Day (Foot) – Kuzma has been ruled OUT for Tuesday’s (April 2) game.

Head-to-Head: Klay Thompson (GSW) vs Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (LAL)

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors own a number of defensive threats in the paint. Due to that, look for scoring to come from the outside for each team. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope led the Lakers in their last match while Klay Thompson will look to rebound from a poor shooting performance.

Klay Thompson

Shooting Guard | 6-7, 215lb (201cm, 97kg) | Washington State | Exp. 7 Years

22.0 PPG | 2.4 APG | 3.9 RPG | 1.1 SPG | 0.6 BPG | 1.5 TOV | .469 FG% | .403 3P%

In 29 minutes Klay Thompson contributed 13 points and 4 rebounds. A low output for a player of his caliber, but his shooting efficiency from deep left many disappointed. He was 6-15 from the floor overall but was 1-7 from deep. Thompson is one of the NBA’s most skilled shooters, so he surely isn’t worried about one poor night. However, he will surely use this match against the Lakers to tune up his efficiency.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Shooting Guard | 6-5, 205lb (196cm, 92kg) | Georgia | Exp. 5 Years

10.8 PPG | 1.1 APG | 2.8 RPG | 0.9 SPG | 0.2 BPG | 0.8 TOV | .439 FG% | .355 3P%

The aptly named KCP did it all for the Lakers in their last match. He scored 23 points and contributed 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. He is likely the most talented scorer left on the Lakers, so expect him to be liberal with his shot selection. His threat offensively is the last weapon the Lakers have, so expect a concentrated effort from him.

Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers Predictions and Odds