Golden State Warriors vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 10/05/2023, 09:48  by Joseph King | Modified on 10/05/2023 at 09:48 in NBA Predictions

The defending champion Golden State Warriors face elimination when they host the LA Lakers for game five of the NBA Playoffs Western Conference second round. The seventh-seed Lakers have one foot in the Conference Finals when they managed a 104-101 victory in game four to put them up 3-1 in the series. They now need just one win to advance while the Warriors will have to win the next three in a row if they are to continue their title defense. The winner of this series will meet up with either the Nuggets or the Suns in the Conference Finals. The bookmakers have Los Angeles as 1.22 favorites to advance to the next round while the Warriors come in at a price of 4.85 to advance. 

The Lakers are peaking at the perfect time as everything has been coming together for them since the trade to acquire De’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasely. Having a healthy Anthony Davis has been the deciding factor for Los Angeles’ rise this postseason as the 30-year-old is averaging 22.3 points, 14.5 rebounds and 2.75 blocks per game in this series. The Lakers have now won their last two games on the bounce and seven of their last 10 overall after disposing of the second seed Grizzlies in six games in the first round. 

This certainly won’t be an easy game for the visitors as they can expect a determined and desperate performance from a team dripping with championship pedigree. The Warriors return to the Chase Center where they have been dominant this season, winning 33 of their 41 regular season games. Golden State has lost two in a row and has only managed two wins from their last six overall.