The Los Angeles Lakers are set to take on the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs on Tuesday, and fans and bettors alike are eagerly anticipating what promises to be a thrilling matchup.
The Lakers come into the game as the seventh seed in the Western Conference, with a record of 42-30. Led by superstar LeBron James and his running mate Anthony Davis, the Lakers have had an up-and-down season, but have shown flashes of their championship form from last year.
The Warriors, on the other hand, have had a remarkable turnaround after a disappointing 2019-20 season. Led by two-time MVP Stephen Curry, the Warriors finished the regular season with a record of 39-33, good enough for the eighth seed in the West.
So, what can we expect from this highly-anticipated matchup? The Lakers will undoubtedly look to lean on their star power, with James and Davis expected to carry much of the offensive load. However, they will need contributions from their supporting cast if they hope to challenge the Warriors.
One player to watch for the Lakers is point guard Dennis Schroder, who has been a key contributor for the team all season. Schroder’s ability to create off the dribble and knock down shots from beyond the arc will be crucial if the Lakers hope to keep pace with the high-scoring Warriors.
Defensively, the Lakers will need to focus on slowing down Curry, who has been on an absolute tear in recent weeks. Curry finished the regular season averaging 32 points per game, and has shown no signs of slowing down in the playoffs.
For the Warriors, their success will hinge largely on the play of Curry and his supporting cast. Players like Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins will need to step up and provide scoring and defense if the Warriors hope to advance past the first round.
So, who should you bet on in this matchup? The odds currently favor the Lakers, with most sportsbooks giving them a slight edge. However, the Warriors have been playing some of their best basketball of the season in recent weeks, and could very well pull off an upset.
If you’re looking to bet on this game, there are a few options to consider. The most popular bet is the point spread, which currently sits at Lakers -5.5. This means that the Lakers would need to win by at least six points in order for a bet on them to pay out.
Another popular bet is the over/under, which is currently set at 219.5 points. This means that if you bet on the over, you’re betting that the total score of the game will be higher than 219.5 points, while a bet on the under means you’re betting that the total score will be lower.
Ultimately, this game could go either way, and it promises to be a thrilling matchup between two of the NBA’s most storied franchises. Whether you’re a fan of the Lakers or the Warriors, or just looking to make a bet on the game, Tuesday’s matchup is not one to be missed.
