Anthony Davis and LeBron James are talking a big game. If they expect the Los Angeles Lakers to follow through on their trade demands — asking for a trade into your own team is as much a demand as trying to force your way out of a team — then the duo needs to keep delivering, particularly against rivals like the Golden State Warriors.
During the NBA’s “Rivals Week,” this is one matchup that actually lives up to that billing, largely thanks to 15 years of LeBron James vs. Steph Curry.
However, tonight's Lakers vs. Warriors predictions look to the other superstar. Find out more in my NBA picks for Saturday, January 25.
Lakers vs Warriors prediction
My best bet
Anthony Davis Over 25.5 points (-115 at bet365)
My analysis
Draymond Green may not realize it, but he is not the defender he once was. When he is not throwing a temper tantrum, he remains one of the savviest players in the NBA, but physically, he cannot shut down opposing stars like was once part of his allure.
Without that asset, who can the Golden State Warriors turn to when needing to slow down Anthony Davis? Kevon Looney is a well-rounded player and defender, but he should not be trusted guarding Davis on the perimeter.
Meanwhile, Kyle Anderson’s nickname is “Slo-Mo” for a reason, and Jonathan Kuminga is not exactly the same size as Davis.
When healthy, Davis has exploited this hole in the Golden State roster of late. Exclude his last two games against the Warriors — games in which he played seven and 12 minutes — and the Los Angeles Lakers star averaged 31.7 points in the three games prior to that, scoring at least 27 in each.
He is certainly up for that task right now, cracking this points prop in five of his last 10 games.
Davis has effectively demanded the Lakers find a center before the trade deadline, arguing that it's the piece keeping them from genuine title contention again. He went so far as to say he wants this title for the city of Los Angeles as it recovers from the recent wildfires. Talk about putting pressure on a front office.
If Davis really wants the Lakers’ front office to come through on that, he needs to keep them winning. Sure, they have won four of their last five, but that followed a three-game losing streak, making Los Angeles just 4-4 in its last eight.
Of the Lakers’ six games before the trade deadline, they should be favored in at least four of them. Davis powering to a win tonight would make a 5-1 stretch feasible, furthering that pressure on the front office.
Lakers vs Warriors same-game parlay
Anthony Davis Over 25.5 points
Anthony Davis Under 3.5 threes
Lakers moneyline
This same-game parlay may seem counterintuitive, but that only helps its payout.
While Davis was averaging 31.7 points in those three games against the Warriors, he hit just one 3-pointer, going 1-of-9 in those three games from beyond the arc. He can do too much damage in the midrange and at the rim to bother living from deep.
If Davis cracks this points prop while not wasting time from downtown, that efficient performance should set up the Lakers nicely for a win.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Lakers vs Warriors odds
Lakers vs Warriors live odds
Lakers vs Warriors opening odds
- Spread: Los Angeles +1 | Golden State -1
- Moneyline: Los Angeles -105 | Golden State -115
- Over/Under: Over 220.5 | Under 220.5
Odds courtesy of bet365
Lakers vs Warriors spread and Over/Under analysis
- Los Angeles opened as a one-point underdog late on Friday, and that number oddly jumped the fence to -1.5 by morning.
- Call it “odd” because that kind of move is usually one with conviction, but the spread then jumped back across the fence early on Saturday afternoon, settling again at +1.
- This total opened at 220.5 and dropped by the morning to 218.5.
Lakers vs Warriors trend
Golden State is only 10-13 ATS at home this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Warriors.
How to watch Lakers vs Warriors
| Location | Chase Center, San Francisco, California |
| Date | Saturday, 1-25-2025 |
| Tip-off | 8:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ABC, ESPN+ |
Lakers vs Warriors latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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