NBA playoff preview and tips: Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James
Steph Curry's Golden State Warriors and LeBron James' Los Angeles Lakers will meet in game one of a star-studded series.
Golden State had to dig deep and produce a stunning game seven performance in Sacramento to make it this far. Their reward is another road game just two days later, as Steph Curry's Warriors face LeBron James' Los Angeles Lakers.
Standout Trends
Warriors are 3-7ATS in their last 10 Western Conference Semifinal games.
Warriors are 2-7ATS in their last nine games following an ATS win.
Lakers are 8-3ATS in their last 11 games against a team with a winning record.
Lakers are 4-0ATS in their last four Western Conference Semifinal games.
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Verdict
It seems unlikely that there has even been a playoff matchup between a seventh-seed and a sixth-seed as highly anticipated as this. The Warriors and the Lakers is going to be a thrilling rollercoaster of a series.
Trailing 2-0 to the Kings and unable to slow down the NBA's most explosive offence, it looked unlikely the Warriors would make it this far.
It took Steph Curry producing one of the most incredible solo performances you'll see in an NBA playoff game, scoring 50 points and making some seemingly impossible shots, while Kevon Looney strangled the offence with 21 rebounds.
The Lakers aren't as dynamic as the Kings, but they are a lot, a lot better. Their trade deadline moves, particularly the introduction of Jarred Vanderbilt, mean they're a solid unit on both ends of the floor.
Whilst this game will be billed as the latest instalment of LeBron James vs Steph Curry, this is arguably Anthony Davis' team now. AD has played sensational basketball this season and represents the key to the Lakers winning this series.
If Anthony Davis can have his way in the paint and at the rim, then the Lakers will pose a problem. Kevon Looney and Draymond Green will need to find ways to limit his influence. For the Warriors, Steph will find ways to score regardless, because that's what he does.
LeBron James has not forgotten that the Warriors picked up three of their four championship rings by beating his teams, but arguably, they've never faced a LeBron James team with this much quality and depth.
Golden State's downfall and the reason they're a number six seed is their struggles on the road. They were poor on their travels this season but did post a 35-9 record on home court.
The Lakers won the regular season mini-series 3-1, picking up three consecutive victories over the Warriors as recently as February and March. One of those came on the road, so we know they have it in them to cover the spread here.
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