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.