Lakers vs. Warriors picks, odds: Golden State could pull off upset to begin NBA Cup play — SkimNews
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- Lakers are favored by 3.5 points in Friday’s NBA Cup opener, attracting nearly 70% of tickets and 75% of the money, while the 234.5 total has a sizable Over lean.
- Luka Doncic returns after sitting out against the Clippers and leads the NBA at 36.0 points per game; with him in the lineup for each of their first four games, the Lakers scored at least 125 points for the first time in franchise history.
- Yaxel Lendeborg is averaging 22.6 points, 9.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists after a 12-point debut and is +280 for Rookie of the Year behind Cameron Boozer at +240, with more DraftKings ROY action this week than any player.
- Stephen Curry took 51 games to record at least 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a game; Lendeborg matched that feat as the first rookie since Curry in February 2010 and joined Victor Wembanyama as the only rookies since 1993 with 100-plus points and 40-plus rebounds in their first five career games.
- Steve Kerr called Lendeborg’s ability to slow the game, draw fouls and create shots a game-changer, giving the Warriors a creator alongside Curry while Jimmy Butler recovers from a torn ACL.
- Spurs are -110 favorites to win Group C, ahead of the Lakers at +340 and the Warriors at +1400; outright advancement is priced at Lakers +185 and Warriors +650.
- Lakers have won four straight games over Golden State overall and four straight at Chase Center.
Why it matters: Warriors bettors face +650 odds to advance from Group C, versus +185 for the Lakers, while 75% of the money is on Los Angeles in a 3.5-point game. Lendeborg’s 22.6-point production gives the Warriors a substantive offensive answer to Doncic’s league-leading 36.0.
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