Warriors vs Lakers Game 2 Prediction NBA Playoffs 5/4

© Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Game Preview: Lakers vs Warriors (May 4, 2023)

The Los Angeles Lakers will be visiting the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference second round. The Lakers lead the series 1-0 after their last matchup, where they won 117-112 led by Anthony Davis' 30 points. However, the Warriors are no slouches, having gone 30-22 against Western Conference teams and averaging 118.9 points per game. 

Lakers: Offensive Analysis

The Lakers' offense has been a major factor in their success this season. With an average of 116.7 points per game, they rank eighth in the league in scoring. Their offensive prowess is probably the biggest reason why many NBA picks experts and computers predicted them to be a formidable team this year. Their offensive firepower is led, of course, by LeBron James, who is averaging 28.9 points per game. But the team is hardly a one-man show. Anthony Davis has been a consistent source of points and is coming off a 30-point performance in the first game against the Warriors. D'Angelo Russell has also been a major contributor, averaging 2.8 made three-pointers over the last 10 games. The Lakers' efficiency on offense is evident in their effective field goal percentage of 54.0%, which ranks 19th in the league. They also get to the free-throw line at a high rate, with an FTA/FGA of 0.295, which ranks third in the league. To bolster their offensive power, Lakers' NBA picks and parlays often include their star lineup in the predictions. However, their three-point percentage of 34.2% ranks just 27th in the league. While that is not terrible, it's an area where they could improve. Despite that weakness, they shoot the ball efficiently, with a shooting percentage of 48%, which ranks 11th in the league. In terms of turnovers, Lakers average 14.1 per game, which ranks 16th in the league. But, they are efficient with their possessions, averaging 25.2 assists per game, which ranks 15th in the league. Overall, the Lakers' offensive attack will be vital in their quest to make a deep playoff run. Their scoring capabilities, combined with their solid defense, make them one of the top NBA picks for the season.

Lakers: Defensive Analysis

The Los Angeles Lakers have been a solid defensive team throughout the season, ranking 14th in the league in opponent's points per game at 115.6. However, they will be facing a tough challenge in game two of their Western Conference second-round series against the Golden State Warriors, who average 118.9 points per game and have a +1.8 point differential. LeBron James has been a key player for the Lakers on defense, averaging 1.0 steals and 0.6 blocks per game. His presence on the court allows the Lakers to switch and defend multiple positions effectively. Anthony Davis has also been crucial for the team's defense, averaging 1.5 blocks and 0.9 steals per game. The Lakers' defensive performance will be crucial in slowing down the Warriors' high-powered offense, led by Stephen Curry's 29.4 points per game. The Lakers will need to limit Curry's scoring opportunities and make the Warriors rely on their other role players to score. The Lakers' ability to defend the three-point line will also be important in this game as the Warriors average 12.6 three-pointers made per game, third-best in the league. The Lakers rank 27th in the league in opponent's three-point percentage at 34.3%, so they will need to step up their perimeter defense. Overall, the Lakers have the defensive talent and ability to compete with the Warriors, but they will need to execute their defensive game plan effectively to come out with a victory. 

Warriors: Offense Analysis

As the Los Angeles Lakers visit the Golden State Warriors for the Western Conference second-round game, experts and computer NBA picks are in favor of the Warriors. However, when analyzing the offense of the Warriors, it is clear that they will need to step up their game and produce more points to secure a win. The Warriors' offensive value ranks 8th, with an average of 116.7 points per game. The team averages 118.9 points and has outscored opponents by only 1.8 points per game, which is not a significant margin. They will need to increase their offensive output to match the Lakers, who have been averaging 115.7 points per game over their last 10 games. Steph Curry is the Warriors' top scorer, averaging 29.4 points per game, followed by Klay Thompson at 21.8 points per game over the last 10 games. However, the team will need to rely on other players to contribute and provide the much-needed offensive support to win against the Lakers. The Warriors' shooting percentage ranks 11th, with a 48.0% success rate, while their opponents have a 46.3% shooting percentage. They will need to improve their efficiency and reduce their opponents' opportunities to score. While they are averaging 119.9 points per game and a 47.0% field goal percentage, their opponents have averaged 111.1 points per game. This shows that their defense also needs to improve to limit their opponents to fewer points. In summary, the Warriors have a strong offense led by Curry, but their performance needs to improve to secure a win against the Lakers. Experts and NBA picks and predictions favor the Warriors, but they will need to execute their offense better and limit their opponents' chances to score to win this critical game.

Warriors: Defensive Analysis

The Los Angeles Lakers visit the Golden State Warriors with a 1-0 lead in the series. In this pregame defensive analysis, we'll take a look at both teams' defense and how they match up against each other. The Warriors average 118.9 points per game and have outscored opponents by 1.8 points per game. Their defense has been solid, allowing 111.1 points per game over their last 10 games. The Lakers, on the other hand, have been averaging 115.7 points per game and allowing 108.9 points per game over their last 10 games. In terms of defensive stats, the Lakers have the advantage in several categories. They allow fewer points per game than the Warriors, and opponents have a lower shooting percentage against them. The Lakers also generate more turnovers per game and have more steals per game than the Warriors. However, the Warriors have a better defensive rebounding percentage than the Lakers, and they allow opponents fewer offensive rebounds. The Warriors also block more shots per game than the Lakers. Overall, both teams have strong defenses, and it'll be interesting to see how they match up against each other. The Warriors will need to focus on limiting turnovers and defensive rebounds, while the Lakers will need to focus on generating more steals and holding the Warriors to lower shooting percentage. 

Injury Report

Los Angeles Lakers: The Lakers have only one player listed on the injury report, and that is center Mo Bamba who is out with an ankle injury. Bamba has been out for several weeks now, and his timeline for a return is uncertain. Golden State Warriors: The Warriors have three players listed on the injury report. Ryan Rollins is out for the season with a foot injury, Patrick Baldwin Jr. is out with a toe injury, and Andre Iguodala is out with a wrist injury. All three players will not be available to play in the upcoming game against the Lakers. Injuries can have a significant impact on the outcome of a game, and both teams will need to adjust their game plans accordingly. The Lakers will miss Bamba's size and rebounding ability, while the Warriors will be without key players in Rollins and Iguodala. 

Betting Trends

As the Los Angeles Lakers visit the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference second round with a 1-0 lead in the series, bettors are looking closely at the recent betting trends for both teams before locking in their NBA picks. The Warriors are 6-4 in their last 10 games and are averaging 119.9 points per game. They have outscored opponents by 1.8 points per game and have gone 30-22 against Western Conference teams. Additionally, the Warriors are 12-6 against the spread in their last 18 home games. On the other hand, the Lakers are 7-3 in their last 10 games and are averaging 115.7 points per game. They have outscored opponents by 1.1 points per game and are 6-10 against the rest of their division. Moreover, the Lakers are 1-5 against the spread in their last six games. Considering recent betting trends, the Warriors have a slight advantage over the Lakers in this matchup.

Prediction