The 2025-26 NBA season tips off on Tuesday night with a double-header on NBC. Yes, the NBA is back on NBC. The twin bill is headlined in part by a huge Western Conference showdown between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers.
Let’s dive into my Warriors vs. Lakers predictions.
Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers odds
Money line: Warriors -135 / Lakers +115
Spread: Warriors -2 (-110) / Lakers +2 (-110)
Total: Over 226 (-110) / Under 226 (-110)
Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers best bet #1: Warriors -2 (-110)
Analysis of this matchup starts in the obvious spot: the Lakers are without LeBron James. The association’s all-time scoring leader is sidelined for at least a month to begin the season because of a sciatic nerve issue. It goes without saying that L.A. isn’t the same team without James, as it doesn’t have the depth to easily make up for such an absence. The Lakers are still heavy at the top with Luka Doncic, while Austin Reaves is a respectable second scoring option when James is on the shelf. However, the rest of the roster inspires little confidence. Among the Lakers’ newcomers, Marcus Smart is seemingly past his prime and even Deandre Ayton’s best days are probably in the past.
Golden State advanced to round two of the playoffs last season, which is more than the Los Angeles can say. The Warriors bounced the second-seeded Rockets in round one and then won the only game against the Timberwolves that it played with Stephen Curry. Minnesota took the next four in a row largely because Curry was out.
The Lakers won three of four H2H meetings in 2024-25, but the Dubs were 0-3 without Jimmy Butler and 1-0 following the trade for Butler. On April 3, they went into Los Angeles and won 123-116 behind 37 points from Curry and 18 off the bench from Jonathan Kuminga. Head coach Steve Kerr’s crew won’t have any qualms about playing in L.A.–especially when they don’t have to go up against James.
Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers best player prop bet: Brandin Podziemski Over 12.5 points (-115)
Podziemski exceeded this 12.5 number in 12 of his last 16 regular-season contests during the 2024-25 campaign. The Santa Clara product then had a 26-point effort in Game 4 against the Rockets and wrapped up the season with a 28-point performance in Game 5 loss against the T-Wolves.
This was a favorable matchup for Podziemski in 2024-25. He averaged 14.8 points per game in four head-to-head meetings with the Lakers and delivered 28 points in his team’s victory at Crypto.com Arena. It should also be noted that fellow guard Moses Moody is out with a calf problem, which should mean more minutes for Podziemski on Tuesday.
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