The Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors will spend this Sunday scrambling across the court in an electrifying matchup in the NBA — the Chase Center in California will welcome the Lakers to California this afternoon. With the Warriors at 22-22, in 11th place in the Western Conference, and the Lakers 24-18, in fifth, both teams have much to play for.
Match Preview
The Golden State Warriors are having a rough stretch, winning only four of their last ten. But they appeared to have found life again with a commanding 131-106 win against the Chicago Bulls on Friday. Stephen Curry topped the scoring list with 21 points and seven assists, and Andrew Wiggins added 17 points and seven rebounds. But the real story was what came from Golden State’s bench.
Quinten Post and Gui Santos scored a combined 39 points, both setting career highs for points and 3-pointers made. Post scored 20 points, hitting five three-pointers, while Santos poured in 19 points and an equal number of triples. The Warriors’ bench chipped in 18 out of the team’s 25 made shots from beyond the arc, a crucial aspect of the drumming.
Steve Kerr’s team will be looking to build on this performance after struggling in its last game against the Kings. Turnovers, along with some third-quarter execution and lack of defensive communication, doomed the Warriors in that game, but they have since adjusted, averaging 111.4 points per game while giving up 111.3.
Conversely, the Los Angeles Lakers are feeling good after a 117-96 destruction of the Boston Celtics on Friday. The trios of LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves removed for 67 points with 15 helps. Gabe Vincent and Dalton Knecht also held solid contributions off the bench.
It was the Lakers’ sharpest look, their defense suffocating Boston’s elite scorers Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who managed 16 and 17 points, respectively. At 24-18, the Lakers have their best record of the season. But their road woes have been troubling, having dropped three consecutive games, two by double-digits.
Team News
The Warriors stills struggle with injuries, with Draymond Green out with a calf strain. Jonathan Kuminga (ankle) and Kyle Anderson (gluteal bursitis) are also doubtful to participate, while Trayce Jackson-Davis, Lindy Waters III, Moses Moody and Gary Payton II are all questionable.
Forward Jarred Vanderbilt is slated to make his season debut for the Lakers after missing time since December 2023. But Jalen Hood-Schifino (hamstring) and Christian Wood (knee) will not play, and Drew Peterson and Anton Watson are still on G League assignments.
Predicted Lineups
Warriors: Donte DiVincenzo, Andrew Wiggins, Brandin Podziemski, Steph Curry, Dennis Schroder
Los Angeles Lakers: James, Hachimura, Davis, Reaves, Christie
Prediction
When these teams last faced off on Boxing Day, the Lakers narrowly came away winners in a close contest, by 2 points. The Warriors have struggled for consistency, but their emphatic performance against the Bulls points to momentum possibly being on their side. With the Lakers having had recent struggles on the road, Golden State should pounce in a close game — potentially winning it by two or more.
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