Lakers vs Warriors: Moneyline Pick for April 3rd Showdown

Golden State Warriors (44-31 SU, 38-35 ATS) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (46-29 SU, 41-33 ATS)

When: Thursday, April 3rd, 10:00 PM (ET)

Where: Crypto.com Arena, CA, Los Angeles

TV: TNT

Point Spread: GS +2/LAL -2

Total: 228.5

Money Line: Golden State Warriors +111/-132

Notable Injuries

Warriors

• Gary Payton II (Out) Thumb
• Jonathan Kuminga (Questionable) Pelvis

Lakers

• LeBron James (Probable) Groin
• Maxi Kleber (Out) Foot

At 10:00 ET, the Los Angeles Lakers (-132) will host the Golden State Warriors (+111) in a Western Pacific Division matchup. The Lakers are currently favored by 2 points over the Warriors, and the over/under line is set at 228.5.

This game will be played at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and can be seen on TNT. The Lakers are 46-29 and have won two straight games, while the Warriors are 44-31 and have won three in a row. Golden State is currently 5th in the Western Conference, while the Lakers are 3rd.

Recent Form

The Warriors improved to 44-31 this season with a 134-125 win over the Grizzlies on Tuesday. Golden State, favored by 4 points, covered the spread with the victory. The game’s total of 259 points exceeded the over/under line of 239 by 20 points.

Golden State jumped out to a 45-32 lead after the 1st quarter, but Memphis fought back, outscoring the Warriors 71-58 over the next two quarters. Tied at 103 heading into the 4th, the Warriors clamped down defensively, holding the Grizzlies to 22 points while scoring 31 to seal the win.

With a 104-98 win over the Rockets on Monday, the Lakers improved to 46-29 for the season. Playing at home, Los Angeles entered the game as a -4.5-point favorite and covered the spread with the victory. The total score of 202 points fell well short of the 226.5-point over/under line.

After a slow start, trailing 19-16 after the 1st quarter, the Lakers picked up the pace by outscoring the Rockets 32-29 in the 2nd quarter. They continued to build momentum in the 3rd, winning the quarter 34-29, and entered the 4th with an 82-77 lead. Los Angeles edged out Houston 22-21 in the final quarter to secure the win.

The Historicals

Through the last 5 matchups between the teams, Los Angeles has an ATS mark of 3-2. But, looking at the scoring margin in these games, an average of just 1 point per game separates the teams. The over-under record in these same games is 5-0, with the teams combining for an average of 237 points per game.

Analysis

Stephen Curry’s 52-point performance, featuring 12 threes at a 60% clip, propelled the Warriors to a 134-125 win over the Grizzlies. Curry also added eight assists and 10 rebounds, while Jimmy Butler contributed 27 points, including 10 in the 4th quarter.

Golden State hit 22 threes, shooting 39.3% from deep, despite an overall FG% of 42.4%. Draymond Green recorded a triple-double with 13 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds.

Despite giving up 125 points, the Warriors tightened up defensively in the 4th quarter, allowing just 22 points to secure the win. Overall, they allowed the Grizzlies to shoot 47% from the field.

Golden State sent Memphis to the line 22 times, where they hit 19 free throws. The Warriors also recorded 11 steals and three blocks in the game.

In their win over the Rockets, the Lakers shot just 39.3% from the field but connected on 16 threes at a 34.8% clip. Gabe Vincent and Dorian Finney-Smith each hit six threes, with Vincent shooting 46.2% from deep and Finney-Smith hitting 54.5%.

Luka Dončić, Vincent, and Finney-Smith all scored 20 points, with Dončić adding nine assists. LeBron James contributed 16 points, scoring 6 in the 4th quarter, while Austin Reaves added 12, with 4 points in the final period.

The Lakers put together a strong defensive performance on Monday, holding the Rockets to just 98 points. They were particularly effective in the 1st quarter, allowing only 19 points, and they closed out the game well, giving up just 21 points in the 4th quarter.

Overall, the Lakers limited the Rockets to 41% shooting from the field, including 31% from beyond the arc, where Houston hit just 10 threes. The Lakers also recorded 11 steals and six blocked shots.

Betting Trends

• When looking at their past ten road matchups, Golden State has an ATS record of 5-4-1 while averaging 118 per game. The team went 7-3 overall in these games.
• When looking at their past three home matchups, Los Angeles has an ATS record of 1-2 while averaging 123 per game. The team went 2-1 overall in these games.
• Golden State has done well both straight up and vs the spread as the underdog, going 2-1 SU and 2-1 ATS in their last three games.
• In their last three contests as the favorite, Los Angeles has a poor record vs the spread going 1-2. But they still put together a straight-up mark of 2-1.

Joe’s Pick To Cover The Spread

Since last week’s devastating loss to the Bulls, the Lakers have picked up two-straight wins and have a chance to separate themselves from the Warriors, who are two games behind them in the standings but have also won 3-straight. Even though they are at home, and Lebron James is probable, I see the Warriors picking up the win. I like Golden State at +111.