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The highlight of Christmas Day in the NBA will be the late meeting between the Warriors and the Lakers, with Lebron returning to Oracle Arena yet again to face his nemesis.
The Warriors (23-11, 15-3 home) are coming after two close home wins against the Mavs and the Clippers, games in which they did not impress. Golden State has been up and down this season, also dealing with injuries to Curry and Green, who are both back healthy now. It has not been the greatest start for the two time reigning Champions, but they are simply struggling with motivation, and the previously mentioned injuries did not help. Even so, the Warriors currently have the 2nd best record in the West, and the 4th best in the NBA.
The Lakers (19-14, 7-9 away) are pretty much doing as expected this season after the signing of LeBron. LA had a bad start but quickly got back on track and they are now playing like the 4th-8th seed they are expected to be in the West. The Lakers are 5-5 in their last 10 games and lost their previous outing at home against the Grizzlies, so they have not been able to find consistency yet.
Bet on GS Warriors vs. LA Lakers and get your 100% (120 Eur) bonus at LSbet now!Team news: The Warriors will continue to miss Cousins and Jones, as well as fringe player Evans. The big news is that Durant has some problems, but he is listed as probable and he will play unless something completely unexpected happens. The Lakers will miss McGee and probably Beasley as well, while Chandler is questionable.
The Warriors have not been their usual dominating selves for most of this season, but there`s no doubt about the reason – it just lack of motivation, as they know they will end up deep in the playoffs anyway.
But a big match like this one, on Christmas Day, against the Lakers and Lebron, is sure to stir up some motivation between the Warriors players, and we might well see the team playing at its best. Last year comes as a proof of this, when the Warriors basically threw away a game on December 24, just to be ready to take on Lebron and the Cavs on December 25th – and they won that one.
The Lakers are not doing bad right now, but they obviously lack the talent to be a threat to the Warriors, as Lebron doesn`t have enough help to compete at the highest level. The odds seem to be made for a normal confrontation between these two sides, but I reckon the Christmas Day factor should add a couple of points on the handicap in favor of the Warriors.
There`s also the fact that the Lakers have problems at the center position, as they don`t have McGee, and Chandler (if he plays) will be limited by back problems. If the Warriors find a free zone below the rim, then there will be no stopping them, as their efficiency from deep is well documented.
I`m going to back the Warriors to have a good game and win this one by double digits. In the unlikely case Durant doesn`t play, we would definitely lose a lot of value as odds would plummet on LA, but the Warriors should still cover. Stats widely suggest that GS is actually much better at covering the spread without Durant, as they move the ball better and Curry is allowed to fully do his thing, so it`s a fact that they are winning by much bigger margins in average without KD. But he should be ready to play, so this point is probably unimportant.
My tip will be Golden State to get the win and cover the -9 (asian) handicap. Knowing this Dubs side, this looks like the kind of game they will win big. It`s one of the few occasions in the regular season in which they have the proper motivation to turn up the engine. Prediction: Golden State Warriors – Los Angeles Lakers 125 – 101.
Pick: Warriors -9
Odds: 1.94 @ 22Bet
Stake: 10
Possible profit: 9.40
Event date: 25 December
