Lakers vs Warriors Game 3: LA Favored With Series Tied 1-1

The sixth-seeded Golden State Warriors blasted the seventh-seeded Los Angeles Lakers 127-120 on Thursday to even the Western Conference semifinal at one game apiece. The series now shifts to Crypto.com Arena for Saturday’s Game 3 (8:30 p.m., ABC). Read on for our Lakers vs Warriors Game 3 betting preview.

Warriors Keep Splashin’

With much of Los Angeles’ focus on containing Stephen Curry, fellow “Splash Brother” Klay Thompson has made the Lakers pay. Thompson poured in a game-high 30 points on eight 3-pointers in Game 2, helping Golden State cover the 5.5-point spread with ease. That came on the heels of a 25-point effort on Tuesday.

Thompson has now scored at least 20 points in seven of his nine playoff games and is shooting 40% from 3, just 1.6% below his season average. Thompson’s impressive playoff performances will be put to the test in the highly anticipated Lakers vs Warriors matchup, where his sharpshooting skills from beyond the arc could make all the difference.

As a team, Golden State is 42-95 (44.2%) from deep through two games. Conversely, Los Angeles is just 16-of-59 (27.1%). Until Los Angeles proves it can consistently defend the perimeter — playoff opponents are shooting 35% — Thompson and Curry, in particular, will continue to get theirs in Lakers vs Warriors Game 3.

Will AD Step Up Again?

After feasting in Game 1, with 30 points, 23 rebounds, five assists and four blocks, Lakers star Anthony Davis delivered a much more subdued performance in Los Angeles’ 27-point loss. Davis was held to 11 points and seven rebounds, both playoff lows. He did block three shots but also committed four turnovers and was -22 while on the floor.

Part of Davis’ struggles can be attributed to a shrewd coaching move by Steve Kerr, who opted to start the quicker, more agile JaMychal Green over Kevon Looney. The presence of the 6-foot-9 Green helped Golden State space the floor better without sacrificing much size. Green scored 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting, while Draymond Green contributed 11 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists to narrowly miss a triple-double. Looney, coming off a 23-rebound performance in Game 1, finished with six points and eight boards in 12 minutes.

Will Lakers head coach Darvin Ham counter that move? Or will he keep his lineup intact in hopes of Davis bouncing back? It’s worth watching in Lakers vs Warriors Game 3.

Golden State Climbs the Board

Following its Game 2 victory, Golden State jumped back ahead of Los Angeles in the Western Conference odds. While top-seeded Denver is currently favored at +125, the Warriors are next in line at +270, followed closely by the Lakers at +285. Phoenix, which trails 2-0 in its second-round series, is now a distant longshot at +700.

Looking at the bigger picture, Boston — the highest-remaining seed in the Eastern Conference — holds the best odds to win the NBA championship at +175. Denver is second on the board at +375, ahead of Golden State (+550), Los Angeles (+600) and Philadelphia (+700).

Handicapping Game 3

Los Angeles is favored for the first time this series, opening -3. Additionally, the Lakers are -155 on the moneyline, compared to +135 for Golden State. The over/under is 227.5, just a half-point above the final combined point total from Game 2.

While Golden State was one the NBA’s best home teams during the NBA regular season (33-8), it struggled mightily on the road. The Warriors went just 11-30 away from the Chase Center, though they did win at Sacramento in Game 7.

Should that severe home/road split concern betters? It’s certainly eye-opening. Then again, only now is Golden State’s lineup whole after Curry (26), Thompson (13) and Andrew Wiggins (45) all missed time during the regular season.

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