• The Golden State Warriors finished last season with a 48-34 record, but needed a play-in win to qualify for the playoffs.
  • On the other side, the Los Angeles Lakers were 50-32, good enough for the third-best record in a competitive Western Conference.
  • These squads previously squared off on Apr. 3, with the Warriors claiming a 123-116 victory.

One of the games on Sunday’s NBA preseason slate features the Golden State Warriors hosting the Los Angeles Lakers. Who has the edge in our Warriors vs Lakers pick?

Warriors Believe They Can Compete For The Title This Season

Golden State earned a postseason appearance by knocking off the Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in round. But after outlasting the Houston Rockets in seven games in the first round, they were ousted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games in the conference semifinals.

The Warriors ranked 17th and 10th in scoring and offensive rating. At other other end of the court, Golden State was eighth in scoring defense and ranked seventh in defensive efficiency.

Los Angeles Aiming For Another Playoff Berth

Meanwhile, Los Angeles managed to finish with the third-best record in the Western Conference, posting a 50-32 record. Unfortunately, their matchup against the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves was not a favorable one.

After splitting the first games of the series, Minnesota won three straight en route to their second consecutive conference finals appearance.

The Lakers were a mediocre team by most metrics. They were 19th and 14th in points per game and offensive efficiency. Los Angeles finished 10th in scoring defense and 21st in defensive rating.

Warriors vs Lakers NBA Pick

These teams were separated by only two games in the standings. Additionally, each squad has won five times in the previous 10 head-to-head meetings. But given that Stephen Curry is a gametime decision, look for the Lakers to emerge victorious in what should be an entertaining preseason matchup.

Pick
Los Angeles Lakerss
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James Tillman
James Tillman

Betting Preview Analyst/Contributor

James blends 16 years of freelance writing with his accounting acumen, specializing in sports betting. He expertly crafts picks for ATS, over/under, and player props, providing valuable insights for bettors at all levels.

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