‘Brodie’ makes his debut in LA!

The Los Angeles Lakers play the second game of the new season in the NBA and get a prominent visitor with the Golden State Warriors. The home side were the top favourites for the title last season, but due to various injuries they were unable to fulfil their dream of defending the title in the City of Angels.

The guests, for their part, put up a good fight, as their squad was decimated from the start due to the absence of Klay Thompson. Now, however, the “Splash Brother” is set to make his comeback, although in all likelihood it will not be in the upcoming opening match.

For the game at Staples Center between the LA Lakers and Golden State Warriors, the tip is aiming for a home win.

Los Angeles Lakers – Statistics & current form

The Los Angeles Lakers have strengthened their squad several times in the off-season. Among the most dazzling additions is Russell Westbrook. The point guard has unquestionably been one of the best players in the NBA in recent years.

Among other things, he leads the league’s all-time rankings in terms of triple-doubles achieved and has been nominated as an All-Star no less than nine times and was even named MVP in 2017, but “Brodie” has so far failed to win a championship.

For the 32-year-old, that dream is now finally set to come true with the Lakers and the window of opportunity is, of course, slowly closing against the backdrop of his advanced age.

Monk is now with the Lakers, too

In addition to Westbrook, the 17-time champions brought in 23-year-old talent Malik Monk from Charlotte. The shooting guard previously played four years with the Hornets, where he steadily improved.

With an average of 11.7 points per game, he set a new career best last season and the step to the star selection of head coach Frank Vogel can be seen as logical. Also on board are the two franchise players LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Both top players are fit again and the interplay of AD and Brodie in the preparation already looked very good. Given the excellent offensive line-up, the odds on a home win, including an interval lead by the home side, are just as interesting in the clash between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors.

Howard upgrades centre position

For the third time, Dwight Howard has signed on in “El Lay”. The centre was still a champion with the Lakers in 2020 and returns to the 19-time Western Conference winners after a year with the Philadelphia 76ers. For the centre position of the troops from the Pacific Division, the eight-time All-Star represents an update compared to last season.

Projected Los Angeles Lakers lineup:
James – Howard – Davis – Monk – Rondo

Golden State Warriors – Statistics & current form

The Golden State Warriors are eagerly awaiting the return of Klay Thompson. Last season, the gifted three-point shooter had to miss due to a torn cruciate ligament, but now he will soon be able to hunt for baskets again. With Stephen Curry also available, NBA fans can look forward to the imminent rebirth of the “Splash Brothers”.

Against the Lakers, however, it will probably not be that time yet. Curry and Thompson are among the best shooters from downtown and represent the most dangerous duo from outside in the NBA. Together with power forward Draymond Green, at least three of the former four top players are thus back in the starting line-up this season for the San Francisco squad, which dominated the league with three championships between 2015 and 2018.

Only Kevin Durant, who has since been hired by Brooklyn, is missing. Green is especially important for Curry: he delivered 194 assists for the “Chef” last season! No other player in the NBA gave an assist to just one other teammate that often.

Wiseman has to pass for now

Head coach Steve Kerr, however, will still have to do without James Wiseman. The 19-year-old was delivering a strong rookie season until his knee injury last year and lived up to high expectations, being drafted as a second-round pick by Frisco in the penultimate draft.

With that in mind, and the fact that Thompson will continue to miss, odds on a maximum 113 points by the visitors in the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors are also a good idea.

Predicted line-up of Golden State Warriors:
Curry – Green – Looney – Wiggins – Poole

Los Angeles Lakers – Golden State Warriors Head-to-head comparison / H2H record

The last direct duel in the NBA took place last May. Back then, LA scored a narrow 103:100 victory. Thanks to that success, the home side have gone unbeaten in four meetings and at least two of those were won by blowout with a difference of at least 26 points.

For the new edition of the duel between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors, our prediction also leans towards a victory for LBJ’s men.

Los Angeles Lakers – Golden State Warriors Tip

In Los Angeles, they now have three stars at hand: Besides LeBron James and AD, Russell Westbrook has come on top. No wonder that the dethroned champions are once again seen as one of the top favourites for the title this season.

For the duel between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors, the forecast includes a home win. The visitors will still be without Klay Thompson and after two completely missed seasons due to serious injuries, it remains to be seen how quickly the shooting guard will get back to his old level of performance.

Although Stephen Curry will certainly deliver another very strong season, last season showed that he alone cannot fix it in the Bay City. Against the once again highly upgraded record champions, the guests therefore do not take more than the role of the underdog for the time being.