Lakers vs Warriors in Prime Time Matchup

Lebron is Back for This Must See Battle

The Los Angeles Lakers (27-25 SU, 23-28-1 ATS) have LeBron James back in the lineup. They might need more than King James to beat the Golden State Warriors (36-15 SU, 23-27-1 ATS) this Saturday.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC LINE: Warriors -11.5; O/U: 236.

The Warriors are 5-1 SU and 4-2 ATS since center DeMarcus Cousins made his season debut. The addition of Cousins gives Golden State five All-Stars in their starting rotation. Chip in a former All-Star, in Andre Iguodala, who’s enjoying one of his better seasons at age 35. Cousins also gives the Dubs some valuable bench strength with Kevon Looney resuming his reserve role. The Warriors had an 11-game winning streak come to an end with a 113-104 loss to Philadelphia on Thursday as they returned home from a five-game trip and fell flat.

James returned against the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday and collected 24 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists in 40 minutes. He led the Lakers to a 123-120 overtime win.

This, That, and a Dart Throw

Los Angeles went 6-11 in 17 games without James. They tumbled from a team fighting for home-court advantage in the Western Conference to out of the top eight. SF Lance Stephenson is 11-of-20 from 3-point range over the last four games. The Lakers head east after Saturday and visit Indiana, Boston, Philadelphia and Atlanta before the All-Star break.

Golden State will have something this time that it didn't during their 127-101 Christmas Day loss to the Lakers. That something is in the form of Cousins. The former All-Star made his season and team debut in the opener of the road trip and is fitting in quite nicely. He is averaging 13.8 points and 6.8 rebounds in 22.3 minutes through six games.

PREDICTION: Warriors 125, Lakers 22

NBA Betting Odds & Trends

Los Angeles Lakers
LA Lakers is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of LA Lakers's last 13 games
LA Lakers is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
LA Lakers is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Golden State
LA Lakers is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Lakers's last 6 games when playing Golden State
LA Lakers is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Golden State
LA Lakers is 1-11 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Golden State
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Lakers's last 7 games when playing on the road against Golden State

Golden State Warriors
The Warriors are 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Golden State is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Golden State's last 14 games
The Warriors are 3-10-1 ATS in its last 14 games at home
Golden State is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games at home
The Warriors are 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing LA Lakers
Golden State is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing LA Lakers
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Golden State's last 6 games when playing LA Lakers
The Warriors are 8-4 ATS in its last 12 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
Golden State is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Golden State's last 7 games when playing at home against LA Lakers

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