Warriors vs Lakers: Series Preview & Prediction

As improbable as it seemed not long ago, we’re getting a Warriors vs Lakers matchup – Steph vs LeBron – in the playoffs with both teams playing really good basketball and both superstars firing on all cylinders. Steph Curry is fresh off the greatest Game 7 scoring performance in NBA history and an impressive Warriors series win against the young and fun Kings.

LeBron James and the Lakers are coming off a dominant Game 6 close out of the #2 seed Memphis Grizzlies, a series in which Dillon Brooks decided it was a good idea to give LeBron some motivation with his comments. With LeBron being 38 and Curry being on the back nine of his career, let’s take some time to appreciate this series. It could very well be the last time we see Steph and LeBron face off in the playoffs when they’re both playing superstar-level basketball.

Warriors vs Lakers Series Schedule

  • Game 1: Tuesday, May 2nd – Lakers at Warriors – 9:00 pm CT – TNT
  • Game 2: Thursday, May 4th – Lakers at Warriors – 8:00 pm CT – ESPN
  • Game 3: Saturday, May 6th – Warriors at Lakers – 7:30 pm CT – ABC
  • Game 4: Monday, May 8th – Warriors at Lakers – 9:00 pm CT – TNT
  • Game 5 (if necessary): Wednesday, May 10th – Lakers at Warriors – Time TBD – TNT
  • Game 6 (if necessary): Friday, May 12th – Warriors at Lakers – Time TBD – ESPN
  • Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday, May 14th – Lakers at Warriors – Time & TV TBD
  • Who Is Favored To Win The Series?

    On DraftKings Sportsbook, the Warriors are currently -145 to win the series while the Lakers are +120.

    Keys To The Series

  • Can Anthony Davis stay on the court? That’s by far the biggest key to this series for me. LeBron is going to be great. The Lakers have gotten great contributions from their role players, and the trade deadline additions are paying off. But can Anthony Davis stay healthy and be at full strength for the whole series? If so, the Lakers have as good of a duo as anyone in the NBA. If he’s hurt or slowed down though, getting by Steph and the Warriors will be a very tall task.
  • Which supporting cast stands out? I touched on it a little bit in the last key, but we know what we’re going to get from Steph and LeBron. They’re going to put up numbers and play well. But which supporting cast will stand out? Kevon Looney had a great series against the Kings, the Warriors will most certainly need him in the paint, and to hold his own against Anthony Davis. Which Jordan Poole will show up? Will we get the one that helped power the Dubs to a title last season or the one that so often leaves us scratching our heads? Can Austin Reaves keep this up? So many intriguing storylines with these two teams and their supporting casts.
  • Streak snappers? The Warriors haven’t been eliminated by a Western Conference opponent since 2014! That’s just an insane stat. The last time the Warriors were eliminated in the playoffs by a Western Conference team, Steve Kerr wasn’t even coaching them. They’ve only lost two series under Kerr – one of those losses came at the hands of LeBron James. It doesn’t happen often, but LeBron is one of the few players to have eliminated this Warriors group.
  • Warriors vs Lakers Prediction

    The Lakers are playing some great basketball, but I just can’t go against the Warriors until someone actually beats them. This should be an incredibly fun series.

    Warriors in 6.

    written by

    Matt is from the Chicagoland area and has been working in Chicago sports since 2015 with stops at WGN Radio, the Chicago Blackhawks, Stadium, and NBC Sports Chicago prior to landing at Betsperts. Matt covers just about everything for Betsperts and Bleacher Nation but focuses on the NHL and college football.

    more bulls news

    What Would be the Best Draw for the Chicago Bulls in the Play-In Tournament?

    Nine games stand between the Chicago Bulls and the Play-In Tournament. I know ... yippie! Practically locked into the No. 9 seed, this puts them in line to host the No. 10 seed at the United Center in Round 1....

    Best Defense of the Season, Playing Big, Javonte Green’s Instant Impact, and Other Bulls Bullets

    Lose to the 14-win Wizards one game and hold the Pacers' elite offense to their worst performance of the season the next. Your 2023-24 Chicago Bulls, everyone! As I said in last night's Enhanced Box Score, I'm now even more...

    WOW: Minnesota Timberwolves Sale to Alex Rodriguez Falls Through

    The Minnesota Timberwolves dropped a bomb on Thursday morning. According to a statement released by the Timberwolves and Lynx ownership group, the franchise is no longer for sale. A transition of power was thought to be in place over the...

    Enhanced Box Score: Bulls 125, Pacers 99 – March 27, 2024

    I got to be honest, I'm even more upset about the Washington Wizards' loss. If the Chicago Bulls played like they did tonight, they would have beaten that depleted Wizards team by 40. This was a locked-in group from the...

    Javonte Green Makes Bulls Return… Immediately Does Awesome Stuff

    Javonte Green has officially made his Chicago Bulls debut ... again. The 30-year-old signed with the organization via a 10-day hardship deal on March 22. Injuries to Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams, and Julian Phillips paved the way for...

    WATCH: Alex Caruso Snatches Rookie Ben Sheppard’s Ankles

    Alex Caruso will always be known for his defense capabilities, but he's showing a lot more than that this season. The veteran guard is averaging double-digit points for the first time in his career. A big part of that has...

    Draymond Green Ejected Less Than 4 Minutes Into Game Against Orlando

    Draymond Green was at it again on Wednesday night. Out East to take on the Orlando Magic, the Golden State Warriors watched Paolo Banchero bulldoze Andrew Wiggins to the rim early in the first quarter. As Banchero high-fived his teammates...

    Pre-Gamin’: Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls (7:00 CT), Projected Lineups, How to Watch, More

    Everything was awful on Tuesday. Be Better. https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1772971933161705610?s=20 Game Info Indiana Pacers (41-32) at Chicago Bulls (34-38) – 7:00 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Chicago (TV) and 670 The Score (Radio) Projected Starting Lineups Chicago Bulls Coby White Alex Caruso Ayo Dosunmu...

    Around the Association: Caitlin Clark Gets Big(3) Offer, Knicks Getting Help, Lakers OT Thriller, More

    It's hard to believe we have less than three weeks remaining in the NBA's regular season, and we should be in for some real drama down the stretch. The Knicks have plenty to play for in their remaining 11 games...

    WHOA: NCAA Looking to Ban Prop Betting on All College Athletes

    As the NCAA men's basketball tournament gears up for the Sweet Sixteen, the college sports world received some big news. On Wednesday morning, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that NCAA president Charlie Baker wants to officially ban prop betting on college...

    Latest News

    Diamondbacks vs. Rockies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    In their season opener on Friday, Corbin Carroll and the Arizona Diamondbacks take on Nolan Jones and the Colorado Rockies, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at Chase Field.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Arizona-Colorado...

    Guardians vs. Athletics: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Logan Allen will take the mound for the Cleveland Guardians when they square off against starter Ross Stripling and the Oakland Athletics in their season opener on Friday, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.Find out how to watch the...

    How to Watch Mariners vs. Red Sox: Live Stream or on TV

    In their season opener on Friday, Julio Rodriguez and the Seattle Mariners play Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at T-Mobile Park.Keep reading to see how to watch the Seattle-Boston matchup...

    How to Watch Padres vs. Giants: Live Stream or on TV

    Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres (2-1) host Jorge Soler and the San Francisco Giants (0-1) on Friday, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.The article below will provide you with everything you need to know to watch...

    Dodgers vs. Cardinals: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The St. Louis Cardinals (0-1), led by Paul Goldschmidt, visit Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers (2-1) at 10:10 PM ET on Friday.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to watch Los Angeles play St. Louis...

    OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

    That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

    Astros vs. Yankees: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Houston Astros (0-1), with Cristian Javier on the mound, will host the New York Yankees (1-0), who will send out Carlos Rodon, at 8:10 PM ET on Friday.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and...

    Rays vs. Blue Jays: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Toronto Blue Jays (1-0), led by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., visit Yandy Diaz and the Tampa Bay Rays (0-1) at 6:50 PM ET on Friday.Find out how to watch the Tampa Bay-Toronto matchup below.When is Rays vs. Blue Jays and...

    Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

    It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

    Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

    A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

    more bulls news